by Amy Stewart
First published 2011
Amy Stewart examines the dark relationship between humans and our most troublesome insect adversaries. She profiles more than one hundred species that bite, sting, infest, and destroy human endeavors. The book covers hornets that deliver excruciating pain, flies that spread fatal illnesses, millipedes that create traffic jams, and beetles that destroy garden roses. Stewart organizes her research into themed sections exploring insects with unusual mating behaviors, pantry pests, garden destroyers, and the phobias these creatures inspire in humans. Each entry combines scientific facts with historical accounts of insect mayhem. Briony Morrow-Cribbs provides detailed illustrations that capture the intricate anatomy of these miniature menaces. Stewart blends entomology with stories of murder, disease, and ecological disruption to reveal how six-legged creatures shape human history and daily life.
Genres: science, nature, animals, non-fiction
Vibes: educational, informative, thought-provoking
Tropes: educational, informative
272 pages · Hardcover · Algonquin Books