The Insects

📘 About This Book

Insects represent over half of the planet’s biological diversity. This popular textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to this extraordinary diversity, and places entomology central to the theory and practice of evolutionary and ecological studies. Fully revised, this fifth edition opens with a chapter concerning the popular side of insect studies, including insects in citizen science, zoos and butterfly houses, and insects as food for humans and animals. Key features of insect structure, function, behaviour, ecology and classification are integrated with appropriate molecular studies. Much of the book is organized around major biological themes: living on the ground, in water, on plants, in colonies, and as predators, parasites/parasitoids and prey insects. A strong evolutionary theme is maintained throughout. There is major revision to the chapter on systematics and a new chapter, Insects in a Changing World, includes insect responses to, and the consequences of, both climate change and human-assisted global alterations to distributions. Updated ‘Taxoboxes’ demonstrate topical issues and provide concise information on all aspects of each of the 28 major groupings (orders) of insects, plus the three orders of non-insect hexapods. New boxes describe a worrying increase in insect threats to landscape and commercial trees (including eucalypts, palms and coffee) and explain the value of genetic data, including evolutionary developmental biology and DNA barcoding, in insect biodiversity studies. The authors maintain the clarity and conciseness of earlier editions, and extend the profuse illustrations with new hand-drawn figures. Over 50 colour photographs, together with the informative text and an accompanying website with links to video clips, appendices, textboxes and further reading lists, encourage a deeper scientific study of insects. The book is intended as the principal text for students studying entomology, as well as a reference text for undergraduate and graduate courses in the fields of ecology, agriculture, fisheries and forestry, palaeontology, zoology, and medical and veterinary science.

📖 Summary

The Insects by P. J. Gullan stands as a definitive, comprehensive textbook that explores the astonishing diversity of the world's most populous animal group, representing over half of the planet's biological diversity. Spanning 638 pages in its fully revised fifth edition, the book firmly places entomology at the heart of evolutionary and ecological studies, integrating traditional morphology and classification with modern molecular approaches. The volume begins with an engaging examination of the popular side of insect studies, welcoming readers into the field by exploring insects in citizen science, their presence in zoos and butterfly houses, and their growing recognition as a sustainable food source for both humans and animals. Rather than relying solely on a dry taxonomic catalog, Gullan organizes a significant portion of the work around major biological and ecological themes. Readers journey through the various habitats and lifestyles of these creatures, learning how they navigate life on the ground, thrive in aquatic environments, feed and survive on plants, build complex societies in colonies, and interact with other species as predators, parasites, parasitoids, and prey. Throughout these thematic explorations, the text weaves together key features of insect structure, function, behavior, ecology, and classification. By linking these biological traits with current molecular research, the author provides a holistic view of how insects function as individuals and within larger ecosystems. A strong evolutionary thread runs through the entire book, helping students and enthusiasts alike understand how millions of years of adaptation have shaped the dizzying array of forms and behaviors observed today. Whether used as a primary text in an academic setting or as an in-depth reference for dedicated naturalists, The Insects bridges the gap between general biology and specialized entomology, offering a thorough foundation for understanding the tiny creatures that quietly drive global ecosystems.

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