Invertebrates are fascinating, their shapes and behaviour intriguing. Some species are vital as pollinators of our crops and garden flowers, or control insect pests, including aphids. In this poetry collection, the author takes us into the English countryside, its hedges and roads sides, woodlands, grasslands, dunes, ponds and rivers, in search of these creatures. Most are very familiar to us - butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, slugs and snails, as well as the slowly marching millipede or scuttling centipede - all vital players in the ecosystem, often overlooked and underappreciated. Either way, they all have their place in the great scheme of things on planet Earth, its biodiversity and rhythms.

This stunning insight into the micro world of the minibeasts reveals the critical roles they play in our past, present and future survival. These true rulers of our world are complex, highly advanced creatures which are integral to our ecology. Simply put, without the invertebrates (insects) and other tiny critters, humans would not survive. While outlining the importance of the minibeast world, this book is also a visual feast of detail and colour, capturing form and behaviour that the naked eye isn't able to see when encountering these small creatures. The result is a book that captivates the reader while inspiring a new appreciation for these magnificent animals. Each chapter focuses on a specific aspect of minibeasts and includes introductory text, images and informative captions. Topics covered include the jobs minibeasts perform that enable species' to exist, and the ways in which they have evolved to suit their environments. From medical drugs to hi-tech robotics, minibeasts provide a wealth of material for humans to draw on to help solve our 21st-century problems. We borrow ideas from them in the fields of biotechnology, engineering and design, and they are essential to our continued evolution. Lavishly illustrated with breath-taking macro photography, the awe-inspiring lives and physiologies of minibeasts are presented in an engaging, fascinating take on life on earth.

Fear and fascination set wasps apart from other insects. Despite their iconic form and distinctive colours, they are surrounded by myth and misunderstanding. Often portrayed in cartoon-like stereotypes bordering on sad parody, wasps have an unwelcome and undeserved reputation for aggressiveness bordering on vindictive spite. This mistrust is deep-seated in a human history that has awarded commercial and spiritual value to other insects, such as bees, but has failed to recognize any worth in wasps. Leading entomologist Richard Jones redresses the balance in this enlightening and entertaining guide to the natural and cultural history of these powerful carnivores. Jones delves into their complex nesting and colony behavior, their unique caste system and their major role at the centre of many food webs. Drawing on up-to-date scientific concepts and featuring many striking colour illustrations, Jones successfully shows exactly why wasps are worthy of greater understanding and appreciation.

Introduces readers to the roles of butterflies in world ecosystems, as well as threats to butterfly populations and conservation efforts. Eye-catching infographics, clear text, and a "That's Amazing!" feature make this book an engaging exploration of the importance of butterflies.

Introduces readers to the roles of butterflies in world ecosystems, as well as threats to butterfly populations and conservation efforts. Eye-catching infographics, clear text, and a "That's Amazing!" feature make this book an engaging exploration of the importance of butterflies.

A compact guide covering everything you need to know about insects of the UK. This pocket-sized book is an essential guide to insects, helping you to identify around 240 of the most easily noticed British species selected from a range of orders and families. The introduction covers the characteristics of an insect, where to find them as well as the conservation work in demand around the world, then entries on each species are divided into simple sections covering general information followed by its flight period, habitat and similar species. As visually impressive as it is useful in the field, Pocket Guide to Insects features many stunning full-page and double-page images supporting the authoritative text. Part of the Pocket Guides series covering British and European wildlife, including garden birds, butterflies, mushrooms, wild flowers, trees and shrubs and tracks and signs.

Streit's father was a watchmaker who also kept bees, and it was in early childhood that Jakob developed a passion for the honeybee. This exquisite reader for Steiner-Waldorf schools factually and scientifically allows one to enter into the magic and mysterious world of the bees. It offers a useful transition from Class 4 to Class 5, moving from the Animal and the Human Being lesson block, to the Botany block. It is also recommended for Class 3. Along with another of Jacob Streit's books, Little Bee Sunbeam, it is one of two books recommended for the sexuality curriculum in the Waldorf school.