Bugs Rule!

The essential illustrated introduction to insects for nonscience majors

Bugs Rule! provides a lively introduction to the biology and natural history of insects and their noninsect cousins, such as spiders, scorpions, and centipedes. This richly illustrated textbook features more than 830 color photos, a concise overview of the basics of entomology, and numerous sidebars that highlight and explain key points. Detailed chapters cover each of the major insect groups, describing their physiology, behaviors, feeding habits, reproduction, human interactions, and more.

Ideal for nonscience majors and anyone seeking to learn more about insects and their arthropod relatives, Bugs Rule! offers a one-of-a-kind gateway into the world of these amazing creatures.

• Places a greater emphasis on natural history than standard textbooks on the subject
• Covers the biology and natural history of all the insect orders
• Provides a thorough review of the noninsect arthropods, such as spiders, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, and crustaceans
• Features more than 830 color photos
• Highlights the importance of insects and other arthropods, including their impact on human society
• An online illustration package is available to professors

Auteur

Whitney Cranshaw is professor of entomology at Colorado State University. He is the author of Garden Insects of North America (Princeton). Richard Redak is professor of entomology at the University of California, Riverside. Both authors have years of experience teaching introductory entomology classes.

Résumé
The essential illustrated introduction to insects for nonscience majorsBugs Rule! provides a lively introduction to the biology and natural history of insects and their noninsect cousins, such as spiders, scorpions, and centipedes. This richly illustrated textbook features more than 830 color photos, a concise overview of the basics of entomology, and numerous sidebars that highlight and explain key points. Detailed chapters cover each of the major insect groups, describing their physiology, behaviors, feeding habits, reproduction, human interactions, and more.Ideal for nonscience majors and anyone seeking to learn more about insects and their arthropod relatives, Bugs Rule! offers a one-of-a-kind gateway into the world of these amazing creatures.Places a greater emphasis on natural history than standard textbooks on the subjectCovers the biology and natural history of all the insect ordersProvides a thorough review of the noninsect arthropods, such as spiders, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, and crustaceansFeatures more than 830 color photosHighlights the importance of insects and other arthropods, including their impact on human societyAn online illustration package is available to professors

Contenu

PREFACE ix
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xi
1Introduction to the Arthropods 1
2What One Sees on the Outside--External Features of Insects 14
3The Internal Organization 39
4Growth and Metamorphosis 58
5The Arachnids--Spiders, Scorpions, Mites, and Other Eight-Legged Wonders 75
6The "Other" Arthropods 119
7Oldies but Goodies 136
8Insects Fly! 144
9Jumpers and Strollers--Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Walkingsticks 155
10Variety Is the Spice of Life--Some Minor, but Interesting, Insect Orders 171
11Roach Cities and Assassin Cousins 182
12Lousy Nitpickers 202
13Life on an All-Fluid Diet 212
14Insect Bruisers and Their Lacewinged Cousins 252
15City Builders That Rule 296
16Scale-Winged Beauties and Custom Homebuilders 339
17"Gift" Bearers of Plague--or a Plump Insect Wedding Present 377
18Marvels of the Air--Two-Winged Wonders 387
APPENDIX I: STATE INSECTS 425
APPENDIX II: LARGEST ARTHROPODS 431
APPENDIX III: SUMMARY OF FEATURES OF THE HEXAPOD ORDERS 435
GLOSSARY 459
INDEX 475