Editorial Review

There are about 100,000 kinds of insects in North America, so obviously they can't have a field guide in the same way the 650 species of birds do: something both portable and complete. The National Audubon Society has produced a remarkably useful compromise. This guide has photographs and descriptions of 550 insect species and 60 kinds of spiders. Most of the families of arthropods on the continent are covered, as are all of the most common species. It's a very useful resource for any North American naturalist, and the best choice for an adult who is not an expert entomologist. Read more

Reviews (33)

Great Guide
This Is a field guide and it is a good one, you may not be able to ID what you are looking at but you can narrow it down for further research. I use this with two other books one on spiders and one on dragonflys and have been able to ID everthing pretty easyly

Fantastic For A "Guide"
I bought this book because I am a photographer with a growing interest in spiders and insects, and I need to know what my subjects are.Before I bought this book, I mostly did Internet research to try to find the exact species.Since I'm not an entomologist or arachnologist, I'm sure you can imagine that my search words often weren't very effective (for example, brown spider in California).Now that I have this book, IDing spiders and insects is much easier.I'm not saying that everything I take a picture of is in here; in fact, the exact species often aren't.But most of the time I can narrow it down to the point where further research is much more successful.This book also explains the correct terminology, which is extremely helpful when searching online or in other books.I know a lot of people out there are disappointed because this book is missing so many species.But honestly, they should have known better than to expect a small FIELD GUIDE to contain so much.If you're looking for a complete encyclopedia of insects or spiders, this book will very disappointing.But if you're looking for a GUIDE (i.e., you're an amateur and you just need to be pointed in the right direction), then you should find this book extremely helpful.

For beginners only
I found this book to be overly broad, which should not have surprised me, given the subject.
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Subjects:  1. Arachnida    2. Entomology    3. Identification    4. Insects    5. Insects & Spiders    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. North America    9. Spiders    10. Animals    11. Nature / Insects & Spiders   

Reviews (2)

Outstanding guide to natural history and identification!
I can only echo Piotr Naskrecki's review. When this book arrived my first thought was "Wow! This is the insect book I've been waiting for!" The illustrated flowchart keys to insect orders and families are outstanding and will be more easily used than the conventional keys in standard texts. I've been interested in insects most of my life (over 50 years) and this is the most incredible introduction to the subject I've seen. The only quibble I have is that the butterflies and moths don't have an illustrated flow chart key to their families. But don't let that keep you from getting this wonderful book.

At last!
At last we receive a well-written, comprehensive, and gorgeously illustrated guide to insects of eastern North America, a book that has been badly needed for many, many years. Stephen Marshall did a splendid job of combining in a single volume information on biology and identification of most families of insects found in this region, and did it in a way that is both pleasing to the eye, and truly educational. Lavishly illustrated with literally thousands of color photos, this book is an encyclopedia of North American insects, and a fantastic invitation to the exploration of our insect fauna. It includes overviews of all orders of insects found in N. America, and provides user-friendly flowchart keys to their identification (down to the family level) that are short on technical jargon but rich in illustrations. The book also has chapters on collecting and photographing insects and other small critters. I am sure that this volume will influence many budding naturalists, and quickly become the resource of choice for entomology teachers and students. An absolute must in the library of anybody with an interest in natural history as well as a useful reference for gardeners. I simply cannot recommend it enough. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arthropoda    2. Insects & Spiders    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Reference    7. Insects - North America    8. Nature / Insects & Spiders   

Reviews (11)

AMajor Contribution to the Scientific World
Caterpillars of Eastern North America is WONDERFUL. I use it all the time. It is my major resource for caterpillar statistics and photos. I rear, photograph and research moth and butterfly adults, larvae and food plants, so this book is a great tool. It is long overdue. I know, because, as a kid, there were no books on the subject and most people thought the only good caterpillar was a dead one. Oh, how I would have appreciated this book back in the 40s. THANK YOU to David Wagner and Princeton University Press for taking on this major contribution to the scientific community.

This is THE caterpillar book to own!
I echo all of the favorable comments in the other reviews. This book has the best photos I've seen in any field guide of any kind.Shows not only the caterpillar but the resulting butterfly or moth - and, so, can also be helpful with moth identification due to the dearth of other publications on moths. This book covers a wide spectrum of caterpillars and should make it easy for anyone to identify them.

At last a Guide that Includes Moth Caterpillars!
Moth caterpillars are more numerous (moth species outnumber butterfly species 10 to one), but books to help you identify these are rare to say the least, and most of those that do cover moths as well as butterflies are both very technical and expensive."Caterpillars of Eastern North America: A Guide to Identification and Natural History" fills the need (for the eastern part of the continent at least) for a reasonably comprehensive guide to both moth and butterfly larvae, with the moths not shortchanged. It can be helpful to a degree in the west as well, but I hope a western guide will soon grace the book stores. We still have no Peterson guide to western moths to match the eastern one!
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Subjects:  1. Caterpillars    2. Insects & Spiders    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. North America    7. Science    8. Biological Sciences    9. Birds and Natural History    10. Insects (entomology)    11. Nature / Insects & Spiders   

Reviews (2)

ALL NEEDS of a PLANT PROTECTION&ENTOMOLOGIY is AVAILABLE
I would be most appreciate to informe that "ENTOMOLOGY AND PEST MANAGEMENT" has been used as acomrehensive text for three courses in dep. of plant protection,fac. of agriculture,Zabol university,Iran by me,Ph.D OF entomology and faculty member of Zabol University&Gorgan University of Agriculture.Third edition of this book has translated to Persian(in press) and Unfortunatly this new edition of book not available in Iran and many difficulties are in Iran forbook buying.I am waiting and expecting to recieve preforma or other information to having this book impatiencly&eagerly. with best regard Javad Karimi(Dep. of Plant Protection;Fac. of Agriculture,Tehran University,Karaj,Iran)

Good Introduction to Entomology
Dr. Pedigo's book is one of the better general entomology/ pest management textbooks that I have read. It is written in an understandable format and provides a good introduction to the structure, function, taxonomy, and applied ecology of insects. This volume is most appropriate for the undergraduate student interested in entomology although it would also be a handy addition to a graduate student's library as well. As with many introductory entomology textbooks, the taxonomic keys are very limited. I would recommend Borror, Triplehorn, and Johnson's: An introduction to the study of insects to anyone who desires a book with a good set of taxonomic keys. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agricultural Entomology    2. Agriculture - Agronomy    3. Agriculture - Crop Science    4. Agriculture - General    5. Control    6. Entomology    7. Insect pests    8. Insects    9. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    10. Pest Control In Field Crops    11. Science    12. Science/Mathematics    13. Technology    14. Insects (entomology)    15. Pest control    16. Science / General   

Reviews (2)

Missing a "key" point...
While this book does address a variety of necessary topics and its overall praise is well-deserved there is a gap, which means there is still a need for a textbook in forensic entomology. An Excellent Overview of Forensic Entomology
This work is extraordinarily useful to any death investigation professional.It provides an extensive overview of all aspects of forensic entomology with chapter contributions from the leading forensic entomologists in the United States and Canada.It is expertly written so that the investigator with no formal entomological training can easily understand the context of the book, while still on a level that other formally trained entomologists will find very useful.It is richly illustrated with over 150 color photos of insects of forensic importance.This allows investigators to immediately recognize forensic insects at the scene so that collection can be assured.This book is certain to become an invaluable reference for anyone in the field of forensic entomology, or those involved in the collection of entomological evidence from a death scene.It is a perfect complement to the other works published on the subject by K.G.V. Smith and E.P. Catts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arthropoda    2. Criminal Law - General    3. Death    4. Forensic Medicine    5. Forensic Science    6. Forensic entomology    7. Law    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    10. Medical    11. Miscellanea    12. Postmortem changes    13. Criminal investigation & detection    14. Insects (entomology)    15. Law / Forensic Science    16. Entomology   

Reviews (11)

Fantastic insect key
I purchased this book mostly as an insect key. It is organized well, and has a very extensive key, easy to understand, and covers a broad spectrum. If you are interested in insect ID or collection, or just want some information about them, this is a great book to get. Depending on your interests, I would also recommend the "Forest Entomology, Ecology and Management" book written by Coulson & Witter.

Important for both biologists and non-biologists
Everything about insects is fascinating, and this book gives a comprehensive overview of their behavior, anatomy, and classification. For non-experts in entomology, such as this reviewer, the book provides the necessary background for further study. Topics such as the molecular genetics of insects and the genetic engineering of insects are not covered, but there are plenty of other books that treat these topics in detail. Only the first four chapters were read by this reviewer, but only chapter four will be discussed here.
Still an essential insect text despite a half-hearted update
Borror and Delong's weighty "Introduction to the Study of Insects" enters its 7th edition as the standard text for students of North American insect taxonomy. This latest edition is brought up to date by Charles Triplehorn and Norman Johnson after a 15 year gap.
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Subjects:  1. Entomology    2. Insects    3. Insects & Spiders    4. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Science    8. United States    9. Science / Entomology   

Reviews (7)

What else can on say
Magnificent piece of work by the authors (scholars)! Incredible!It is about time such a compilation was put together. The significance of insects, and natural selection cannot be understated! To bad we will not be around in the near future but insects will.Enough said a must have in one's library.

Evolution has an inordinate fondness for insects
What organism has a loss of musculature in the antenna beyond the scape, possesses the Johnston's Organ, and for females the presence of an ovipositor formed by gonapophyses? The answer is an organism that seems to have the favor of evolutionary pressures for over 400 million years which has produced about 5,000, 000 species of insects that are alive today. The authors of this book estimate that perhaps 100 million species have existed at various points in this evolutionary timescale. Even if you are not an entomophile, even if you were never tempted to create a butterfly collection, and even if bee and ant stings, pesky cockroaches, and devastating grasshoppers cause you to believe that humans are better off without insects, this literary and scientific masterpiece will give you a deep appreciation for how the most successful life forms on the planet have evolved over the past 400 million years. Written for the professional entomologist and serious students of entomology, with some perseverance and discipline, along with a sizeable block in time, any reader who is interested in the subject matter can gain immensely from a reading of this book. Everything about insects is fascinating, and one could spend a lifetime for example just studying the evolution of one particular order of insects. For readers (such as this reviewer) who are not experts in entomology it is helpful to photocopy the glossary while reading the book, in order to have the important terminology readily available without having to constantly flip to the back of the book. There are hundreds of facts in the book that are fascinating and surprising. A small sampling of these include:
The story of insects
An excellent review ot the evolution of insects, with numerous line drawings and photographs. Well written and comprehensive. This book is not for casual reading, but would be indespensible for persons with a serious interest in the evolution of insects. The size of the book is quite large. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Evolution    2. Insects    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Insects (entomology)    7. Science / Life Sciences / Zoology / Invertebrates   

Reviews (21)

I never knew...
I have this romantic notion that one day I will retire from the Army, settle down somewhere nice, and tend my bee hives filled with gentle bees, reaping in gallons of sweet, liquid gold.Like I said, it's a romantic notion.What this book clearly states is that there is more to successfully operating an apiary than harvesting the honey a few times a year.It's science and agriculture.It's care and preservation.It's timing and careful planning.But this book didn't scare me away from my notions, rather it provided me with the critical information I'll need to successfully care for my own colony of bees.I get excited just thinking about the possibilities.The book is clearly laid out, informative, and comprehensive in scope.I recommend it for a beginner, like me, or someone who wants a good, well-rounded resource guide on beekeeping.

Pretty good resource, but not the bee all, end all...
I used this book as my only reference for starting my career as a backyard beekeeper. I find it very helpful and it is a good reference but it's also rather incomplete.I got my bees in Nucs not boxes and there wasn't much that a beginner needed to understand the differences. Also, when I checked my hives for the first time, I realized that this book is lacking a lot of what looks normal and what doesn't; there are only a few photos, mostly not very useful.Why doesn't the book tell you to smoke yourself and the bees to help prevent stings? Why isn't there info about using sugar water in addition to smoke to help you when in the hive? Now that I'm started I wish that there was a volume II with more detail to help me at the next level.
Great beginners book
This is a great "first" book. It is excellent for explaining the parts of a hive, terminology, etc., in a very readable manner, and I love the cartoons. But you must also read other books as well. The more you read, the more you'll be able to separate "opinion" from "hard fact." "The New Starting Right with Bees" etc. are excellent first-year companions to "Beekeeping for Dummies." If you start with this book, you'll be on your way; if you stop with it, you will be in a sorry state. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Apiculture    3. Bee culture    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Insects & Spiders    6. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    7. Nature    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Apiculture (beekeeping)    10. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    11. Pets / General   

Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Biology - General    2. Life Sciences - Botany    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    4. Reference    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Insects (entomology)    8. Plant reproduction & propagation    9. Reference works    10. Science / Life Sciences / Zoology / Invertebrates   

Reviews (1)

most comprehensive treatment of this order
Excellent treatment of the ecology, behavior, life history, morphology,phylogeny and neurobiology of the Solifugae. This book also provides keysfor families and genera worldwide. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arachnida    2. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Solpugida    7. Arachnids    8. Insects (entomology)    9. Science / Zoology   

Editorial Review

Holley Bishop loves bees. No, more than that: she idolizes them. She marvels at their native abilities and the momentous role these misunderstood and unjustly feared creatures have played in the development of human history. And with her book, Read more

Reviews (17)

She's as sweet as....
I don't think I can add much to all of the valid points the other reviewers have touched on (although I take issue with the scientific criticisms of one reviewer - I think she didn't read those passages closely enough) however I can't resist saying how enjoyable and eminently readable Holley Bishop's book is.
well written
I found this book to be a great read. The writing was quite eloquent and absorbing and I found that I got to know honey bees intimately. Because the structure of the book, the sense you get of the history of the honey bee is somewhat fragmented. I agree with some of the other reviewers that there is something lacking to the science side, although very well researched and very nearly comprehensive, I didn't feel like the social and environmental issues facing this amazing creature were sufficiently addressed. I was dissappointed that the issue of genetically engineered food and organisms was glossed over, this however may be because the book is largely set in the USA which is one of the few countries worldwide where the implications and effects of GMO's for humans and animals are also largely glossed over. I felt that Hattie Ellis in her wonderful history: "Sweetness and Light: The Mysterious History of the Honey Bee" did a remarkable job at addressing the various issues of the plight of the modern honey bee, and like Holley Bishop's book is a very compelling read.

Good History Book, Bad Science Reference
Bishop presents an entertaining history of bees and beekeeping, and gives us an absolutely fascinting tour into the relationship between humans and bees, both ancient and modern. What she misses are her science references:
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Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Essays    3. Honey    4. Insects & Spiders    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Specific Ingredients - Natural Foods    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Animal husbandry    10. Nature / Insects & Spiders   

Reviews (2)

manual of techniques in insect pathology (biological techniq
manual of techniques in insect pathology (biological techniques)

Excellent Resource Book
This book is a MUST for anyone working in the area of Insect Pathology.It provides information about and how to work with most all insect pathogens.The material is comprehensive and detailed, yet easy to follow.The methods given for culture, staining, identification, etc. of the various pathogens included actually work and yield the desired results.This is an excellent teaching reference as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agricultural Entomology    2. Agriculture - General    3. Biocontrol Of Pests (Agronomy)    4. Entomology    5. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Animal pathology & diseases    9. Insects (entomology)    10. Science / Microbiology   

Reviews (14)

guide to insects
book is full of information, and easy to read,plenty of pictures also.

The best field guide to North American insects
"In this century," according to ecologist Paul R. Ehrlich, "no one has done more to promote an interest in living creatures than Roger Tory Peterson, the inventor of the modern field guide." Peterson's "Guide to the Birds" - "the first modern field guide" - was published in 1934. Its pioneering approach was to use visual characteristics rather than technical data to identify species. This was achieved by grouping similar species together on a plate, using clear, two-dimensional illustrations, and pointers to key field marks as well as succinct text, a combination known as the Peterson Identification System. That revolutionary style was later applied to a host of field guides covering anything from the night sky to moths and geology to mushrooms and including the present volume.
Field Guide to Insects
I have used this book many times in my entomology courses.This time, I ordered 2 copies to give as gifts.
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Subjects:  1. Identification    2. Insects    3. Insects & Spiders    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. United States    7. Insects (entomology)    8. Nature / Insects & Spiders   

Reviews (6)

The Butterflies of Costa Rica
After traveling different countries and using various field guides, I can say that this one needs a lot of improvement. This book only covers a small section of species.The specimens that are used are tattered and some are difficult to use for ID purposes. In most guides, the photo description on the left usually include the page number for the text, this one doesn't. So, you have to check the name and look to the index to cross over to the text page.Speaking of names, they are only called by the Latin scientific name.This is probably not a big issue since most do not have one.
A wonderful book
The diversity of life in the tropics is such that a tome like this covers just three of families of butterflies, not the whole lepidopteran fauna as other reviewers have pointed out. Nevertheless, these three are both important and conspicuous, including some of the most beautiful and sought after of tropical butterflies such as the Morphos, Owl Butterflies and Heliconiids. And, because of the paucity of literature for this region, this guide will prove useful well beyond the frontiers of Costa Rica where many of the same genera and even species occur - I use it all the time in Venezuela for example.
butterly museum
This book along with the photo essay book "Costa Rica : The Last Country the Gods Made" should be owned by anyone who loves Costa Rica, even if they think they despise nature studies as dry and limited. Buy it just for the color plates. This book's spirit is undeniable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Butterflies    2. Butterflies & Moths    3. Costa Rica    4. Insects    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Biological Sciences    8. Insects (entomology)    9. Nature / Butterflies   

Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Biology - General    2. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Insects (entomology)   

Reviews (8)

Well-organized
Our local farmer recommended this book & I've really enjoyed it.Good for beginners.

Very Helpful
I am new to bee keeping, my first hive didn't make it through Ohio's winter, when I picked up a new package to repopulate the hive, the owner of the apiary, Queens Right Colonies, recommended this book.Each time I get into my hive I look through the book to learn what I have seen. Has been very helpful. Great book!

Good Introduction, But Lacking
This is a fine book, but there are many basic concepts missing, and it is a little pricey considering what it lacks. But adding it to your library will be a good move if it's complemented by other authors. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apiculture    2. Bee culture    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Insects & Spiders    5. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Reference    9. Apiculture (beekeeping)    10. Insects as pets   

Subjects:  1. Entomology    2. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    4. Reference    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Insects (entomology)    8. Reference works    9. Science / Entomology   

Reviews (12)

excellent point of view book!
my students loved the setup of this book. it is well written and the perspective of the ants is awesome. I'm going to get the rest of his books.thank you so much.

Children's lit. review
The story serves as a good example of how greed can be harmful to students.It also demonstrates how pictures may be used to help a reader understand text.For example, The author never names the crystal, but by looking at the pictures they can determine that it's sugar.The story is engaging for young readers because ants are small, non-threatening characters.Also, by using the ants to teach a lesson kids may not even realize they're learning.It is written in an attractive yet concise manner, and could be useful in teaching kids how to write text to describe pictures.

ants are cool
I think this isgreat bookbecauseit is about2 ants that go in a house and think that a sinkis a waterfalland think thatgrassarebigwoodsand thinkthatsalt arebigdimens and thenfallintoa bigbucketofsaltand took it home this is why I like this book and I think this is a great book ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - InsectsSpidersetc.    2. Ants    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Animal stories    8. Insects & spiders    9. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Insects, Spiders, etc.   

Reviews (2)

Best beginners' guide
I have quite a few `bug' guides and the Peterson guides are always my favorite. The drawings are excellent, the writing is clear, and I like the behavioral and collecting notes added. There are more flashy guides with more pictures but they tend to be more limited - you can only put so many pictures in a book. They also usually cost much more. This is the book I would buy for someone wanting to learn more about the entire insect world and begin identifying the bugs they find. If their interest grows I would simply move up the full version of the same book.

Perhaps the best field guide to the insects of North America
This is a great book for both the beginner as well as those who are at the intermediate level of their study of insects.
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Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Identification    3. Insects    4. Insects & Spiders    5. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. United States    9. Nature / Insects & Spiders    10. Zoology & animal sciences   

Reviews (3)

Excellently Beautiful Book!
Such a wonderfully beautiful book. The photos and stories of odonata are just fabulous! I will definitely read it over and over again.

a gorgeous book
This is a fantastic book - everything you wanted to know about dragonflies, with pictures! There are pages and pages of gorgeous photographs and lots of interesting information about dragonflies, from science to folklore. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with interest in these beautiful insects.

Beautiful!
As soon as I heard this book was being released, I was dying to buy it.The authors have pioneered a method of scanning dragonflies on standard flatbed scanners and have produced some magnificent images of these insects, which they display online.As an entomologist and a woman fascinated by dragonflies, I have always admired their work and knew this book would be gorgeous if nothing else.I was not disappointed.The photos and scans of dragonflies in this book are spectacular.Even people who are squeamish of bugs could learn to appreciate the beauty of these magnificent insects after reading this book.Aside from the lovely images, the book also contains some very interesting information about dragonflies.I am particularly fond of the chapter called Dragonfly Tales, which covers dragonfly myths and folklore in more detail than I've seen in any other dragonfly book to date.Other chapters cover information rarely included in other books such as imaging, gardening for, and collecting dragonflies.It also discusses more commonly covered topics such as dragonfly life histories, structure, evolution, and development.
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Subjects:  1. Dragonflies    2. Insects & Spiders    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Science