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Designed as an introduction to the intriguing world of insect biology, Insects: Evolutionary Success, Unrivaled Diversity, and World Domination examines familiar entomological topics in nontraditional ways. Author David B. Rivers gives important concepts relatable context through a pop culture lens, and he covers subjects that are not typical for entomology textbooks, including the impact of insects on the human condition, the sex lives of insects, why insects are phat but not fat, forensic entomology, and the threats that some insects pose to humanity.
Each chapter presents clear and concise key concepts, chapter reviews, review questions following Bloom's taxonomy of learning, web links to videos and other resources, and breakout boxes (called Fly Spots) that capture student interest with unique and entertaining facts related to entomology. Focusing on both traditional and cutting-edge aspects of insect biology and packed with extensive learning resources, Insects covers a wide range of topics suitable for life science majors, as well as non-science students, including:
- the positive and negative influences of insects on everyday human life
- insect abundance
- insect classification (here presented in the context of social media)
- insect feeding, communication, defense, and sex
- how insects are responding to climate change
- forensic entomology
- how insects can be used as weapons of war
- how insects relate to national security
- why insects have wings
- how to read pesticide labels
Preface vii
1 An Introduction to Insects: Busting the Myths, Lies, and Urban Legends 1
2 History of Entomology: A Discipline Founded on Death 23
3 Insects Are Not All Bad: Beneficial Aspects of Insect–Human Interactions 52
4 Insects Shaping Human Civilization: Turns Out They Might Be Bad After All 87
5 “Dressed” for Success: The Insect Body Plan 115
6 The Insect’s New Clothes: Growing by Shedding 148
7 Insect Facebook: The Basics of Insect Classification 169
8 Insects Are Phat but Not Fat: Diet, Nutrition, and Food Assimilation 193
9 Sex in the City and Everywhere Else: Insect Reproductive Strategies 219
10 You Can Teach an Insect New Tricks: Learning and Memory in Six-Legged Beasts 251
11 Instant Messaging in the Insect World: Communication with Kin and Non-Kin 276
12 Small but Fortified: Insects Are Not Defenseless 302
13 Life on the Edge: Coping with Stress 330
14 Revenge of the Humans: Insects as the Hunted 354
15 Forensic Entomology: Insects as Tools in Legal Investigations 380
16 Insect Mercenaries: Weapons for Human Warfare and National Security 404
17 Invasive and Elusive: New Insect Threats to the Human Condition 428
Appendix 455
Glossary 461
David B. Rivers is a professor of biology and the director of forensic studies at Loyola University Maryland. He is the coauthor of The Science of Forensic Entomology.
"The text is penned with a vernacular that is fresh and relevant to current undergraduate students and oozes with an entomological swagger representing the passion of the insect world – a world that interested students will find much more enriching through the compound lens of this book."
– John R. Wallace, Millersville University Center for Environmental Sciences
