To date, more than a million insect species have been described,
with probably at least another 5-8 million species waiting in the
wings for a name. Insects are a fascinatingly diverse and beautiful
spectrum of animals. They range in size from the tiny parasitic
wasp, measuring a mere 139m, to the aptly named Titan beetle, which
can reach lengths of up to 17cm. They can be found on all
continents of the world, from the Sahara Desert to the frozen
wastes of Antarctica; in caves, under the ground, inside plants,
other insects and vertebrates, in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds,
in puddles, in the watery interiors of pitcher plants; and in our
houses. While no insects live beneath the waves, the intrepid sea
skaters skim the surface of some of the world's oceans. This Very
Short Introduction explores the extraordinary world of insects. It
analyses insect evolution, taxonomy and development, and describes
their behaviour, their life styles, and the interactions they have
with other insects and other animals. As Simon Leather shows,
insects are the bedrock on which human civilisation rests; without
them we would almost certainly not exist. Although they can be seen
as pests of our crops plants, they are also invaluable for
pollinating our flowering plants and are an invaluable link in all
land ecosystems. As they face challenges from climate change and
pesticides it has never been more important to understand these
oft-dismissed creatures. Very Short Introductions: Brilliant,
Sharp, Inspiring ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions
series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in
almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect
way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors
combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to
make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
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