In spite of their miniature size, ants are known for their hardworking nature. These tiny creatures are able to dig massive tunnel systems and lift objects more than 10 times their body weight. Ant brings readers closer to the resourceful insects that are so prevalent in gardens around the world.
Open your eyes to a world of discovery. Enter the extraordinary empire of the creepy-crawly. From dung beetles to dragonflies, meet the neighbors you rarely see -- but are essential to your life. A wealth of facts, combined with dramatic photography, ensures that Eye Wonders are the perfect educational start for young children. Eye Wonders is a groundbreaking reference series specially develope…
The product that most people first associate with bees is honey, although beekeeping generates much more than just honey. The maintenance of biodiversity and pollination of crops are the most valuable services provided by bees. Honey is just one of several different products that can be harvested: others are beeswax, pollen and propolis, royal jelly and venom, and the use of bees in apitherapy,…
Butterflies and moths rely on different senses to help them find food. Because butterflies are active during the day, color plays an important role in survival. Brightly colored flowers advertise food sources. However, moths are usually only active at night and cannot rely on visible color to help them find food. Instead, moths rely on smell. Moths’ feather-like antennae have greater surface …
The observation and study of Lepidoptera (the large order of insects that includes the butterflies and moths, characterized by four membranous wings covered with small scales; lepidoscaly + ptera, wing) began, historically, with the curiosity of amateurs. The science (lepidopterology) followed, as dedicated amateurs began to devote more time to the study, share their discoveries with others and…
Taxonomists have been searching for decades for an unique character that can distinguish butterflies and moths. The only character that has been recognized was the shape of the antennae, which only in butterflies show a typically elongated shape ending in a mace, while in moths the antennae take many other shapes, except for this one. For this reason, Lepidoptera had been divided into rhopaloce…
Papilionidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae, and Nymphalidae. Close to 750 species inhabit the United States and Canada, most notably the Monarch and Regal Fritillary can be found in Nebraska. Approximately 3% of butterfly species are threatened with extinction. This decline in butterfly populations is attributed primarily to habitat loss due to urbanization and agriculture. As populations continue to d…
This book assesses the potential of insects as food and feed and gathers existing information and research on edible insects. The assessment is based on the most recent and complete data available from various sources and experts around the world. Insects as food and feed emerge as an especially relevant issue in the twenty-first century due to the rising cost of animal protein, food and feed i…