Showing 1–12 of 231 results
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Australian Termites
Artist/Author: Hadlington, Phillip, Ion Staunton (Authors), Louise Beck (Illustrator)$50.00 Add to cartShows readers the how, which, when, where, what and why of termite and wood borer control. The previous edition of this highly-regarded and indispensable text is now out-of-date, and the new edition has been refined and rewritten as a fully fledged text and reference book for pest-control technicians and the people who train them. Now including a colour section for easier identification of problem species, it will result in better educated technicians and more precise termite management in the future.
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The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator
Artist/Author: Winegard, Timothy C$34.00 Add to cartA pioneering and groundbreaking work of narrative nonfiction that offers a dramatic new perspective on the history of humankind, showing how through millennia, the mosquito has been the single most powerful force in determining humanity’s fate
Why was gin and tonic the cocktail of choice for British colonists in India and Africa? What does Starbucks have to thank for its global domination? What has protected the lives of popes for millennia? Why did Scotland surrender its sovereignty to England? What was George Washington’s secret weapon during the American Revolution?
The answer to all these questions, and many more, is the mosquito.
Across our planet since the dawn of humankind, this nefarious pest, roughly the size and weight of a grape seed, has been at the frontlines of history as the grim reaper, the harvester of human populations, and the ultimate agent of historical change. As the mosquito transformed the landscapes of civilization, humans were unwittingly required to respond to its piercing impact and universal projection of power.
The mosquito has determined the fates of empires and nations, razed and crippled economies, and decided the outcome of pivotal wars, killing nearly half of humanity along the way. She (only females bite) has dispatched an estimated 52 billion people from a total of 108 billion throughout our relatively brief existence. As the greatest purveyor of extermination we have ever known, she has played a greater role in shaping our human story than any other living thing with which we share our global village.
Imagine for a moment a world without deadly mosquitoes, or any mosquitoes, for that matter? Our history and the world we know, or think we know, would be completely unrecognizable.
Driven by surprising insights and fast-paced storytelling, The Mosquito is the extraordinary untold story of the mosquito’s reign through human history and her indelible impact on our modern world order.
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Butterflies of Britain and Europe: A Photographic Guide (Second Edition)
Artist/Author: Haahtela, Tari, Kimmo Saarinen, Pekke Ojalainen, Hannu Aarnio$38.00 Add to cartAn authoritative photographic guide to the butterflies of Europe. Packed with beautiful photography, this is the definitive guide to all 482 species of European butterflies (42 more species compared to the first edition) with additional information on over 60 species found in the far east of Europe, stretching as far as the Urals and Caucasus. Detailed text and clear photographs – including views of both the upperwing and underwing where possible – allow identification of adult butterflies in the field. There is also useful information on their relative size, similar species, habitat, lifestyle and larval host plants, accompanied by accurate range maps. The result of collaboration between many European butterfly experts and photographers, and compiled by a Finnish team, this comprehensive guide represents the last word in butterfly identification.
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British Moths: A Photographic Guide to the Moths of Britain and Ireland (Second Edition)
Artist/Author: Manley, Chris$80.00 Add to cartPacked with the stunning photography, this photographic guide is the perfect single-volume guide to Britain’s moths. Its coverage is broad, including 871 macro-moths and 1276 species of micros. The concise text provides important information on identification, size and larval food plant for each species and, for the first time, maps are included. Introductory sections cover habitats, life cycles, conservation, and trapping and photographic techniques.
The new edition is far more comprehensive than the original edition, and the main changes are as follows:
Covers 800 additional species
Many of the photographs have been replaced and the total number of images is now over 3200.
The photos are presented in a uniform alignment for ease of comparison between species.
Size bars are added below each image showing average forewing length.
Taxonomy and nomenclature conform to the latest checklist (but old Bradley numbers are still included)
Maps included for every species for the first time.
Covers all of the British Isles (Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man) plus the Channel Islands.
Excludes butterflies and caterpillars to make room for much greater coverage of true moths.With many people now setting up their own backyard moth traps, and many others who are simply curious to know which species are fluttering around their light bulbs, this book provides a superb introduction to this fascinating insect group.
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Australian Beetles Volume 2: Archostemata, Myxophaga, Adephaga, Polyphaga (part)
Artist/Author: Slipinski, Adam, John Lawrence (Editors)$250.00 Add to cartSecond in a three-volume series that represents a comprehensive treatment of the beetles of Australia.
This three-volume series represents a comprehensive treatment of the beetles of Australia, a relatively under-studied fauna that includes many unusual and unique lineages found nowhere else on Earth.Volume 2 contains 36 chapters, providing critical information and identification keys to the genera of the Australian beetle families included in suborders Archostemata, Myxophaga, Adephaga and several groups of Polyphaga (Scirtoidea, Hydrophiloidea, Scarabaeoidea, Buprestoidea and Tenebrionidae). Each chapter is richly illustrated in black and white drawings and photographs. The book also includes colour habitus figures for about 1000 Australian beetle genera and subgenera belonging to the families treated in this volume.
Volume 1 see stock id 13962.
This volume is a truly international collaborative effort, as the chapters have been written by 23 contributors from Australia, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland and USA.
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Protecting Pollinators: How to Save the Creatures That Feed Our World
Artist/Author: Helmer, Jodi$51.00 Add to cartWe should thank a pollinator at every meal. These diminutive creatures fertilize a third of the crops we eat. Yet half of the 200,000 species of pollinators are threatened. Birds, bats, insects, and many other pollinators are disappearing, putting our entire food supply in jeopardy.
In North America and Europe, bee populations have already plummeted by more than a third and the population of butterflies has declined 31 percent. Protecting Pollinators explores why the statistics have become so dire and how they can be reversed. Jodi Helmer breaks down the latest science on environmental threats and takes readers inside the most promising conservation initiatives. Efforts include #famers reducing pesticides, cities creating butterfly highways, volunteers ripping up invasive plants, gardeners planting native flowers, and citizen scientists monitoring migration.
Along with inspiring stories of revival and lessons from failed projects, readers will find practical tips to get involved. They will also be reminded of the magic of pollinators – not only the iconic monarch and dainty hummingbird, but the drab hawk moth and homely bats that are just as essential. Without pollinators, the world would be a duller, blander place. Helmer shows how we can make sure they are always fluttering, soaring, and buzzing around us.
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Biology and Management of Bactrocera and Related Fruit Flies
Artist/Author: Clarke, Anthony R$150.00 Add to cartThroughout Asia, Australia and the Pacific, and increasingly in Africa, the primary horticultural insect pests are fruit flies belonging to the genera Bactrocera, Zeugodacus and Dacus (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacini). The Dacini is a hugely diverse clade of nearly 900 species endemic to the rainforests of Asia, Australia and the western Pacific, and the savannas and woodlands of Africa. All these species lay their eggs into fleshy fruits and vegetables, where the maggots feed, therefore destroying the fruit. In addition to being crop pests, dacines are also invasive pests of major quarantine importance and their presence in production areas can significantly impact market access opportunities.
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Field Guide to the Dragonflies & Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland (Fifth Edition)
Artist/Author: Brooks, Steve (Author), Steve Cham (Author), Richard Lewington (Illustrator)$40.00 Add to cartThis highly successful title is widely considered as the definitive guide to the dragonflies and damselflies found in Britain and Ireland. This bestseller in its field has been revised and updated to include recent additions to the British list, ensuring it is up to date and lives up to its reputation of being the best guide on the subject.
The comprehensive species descriptions, written by a team of UK experts, include field characters, jizz and similar species, status and conservation, ecology and behaviour, including habitat, larval form, flight season, feeding, territorial and mating behaviour. The superbly detailed artworks by Europe’s leading entomological artist, Richard Lewington, include males and females, immature and over mature forms, as well as dorsal views and details of diagnostic features, making identification much easier.
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The Natural History of Insects: A Guide to the World of Arthropods, Covering Many Insects Orders, Including Beetles, Flies, Stick Insects, Dragonflies, Ants and Wasps, as Well as Microscopic Creatures
Artist/Author: Walters, Martin$19.00 Add to cartA guide to the world of arthropods, covering many insect orders, including beetles, flies, stick insects, dragonflies, ants and wasps, as well as microscopic creatures. It provides a fascinating overview of insects and spiders, including their habitats and classification, all shown in over 195 beautiful photographs and illustrations. All aspects of insect life are covered, such as the way insects defend themselves and how they are able to jump, leap and fly. It describes cryptic coloration, and the way insects can use camouflage to blend into their background and escape attack from predators. It offers various methods of feeding are discussed, from biting and chewing to lapping, sucking, piercing and filter feeding, according to their different mouthparts. It outlines their useful role in pollination of crops, production of honey, and removing insect pests. In the arthropoda phylum, insects are one of the most successful species, and spiders are one of the largest groups. This book studies how they organize their lives. The first section provides information of every aspect of insect life: evolution, anatomy, life cycles, flight and social organization. The last section describes the 30 orders within the class Insecta, demonstrating the huge variety of insects, from microscopic creatures to giant stick insects and large beetles. Typical features of insects in each order are highlighted. With expert text, illustrations and clear photographs, this guide will be enjoyed by all who take an interest in natural history.
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The Last Butterflies: A Scientist’s Quest to Save a Rare and Vanishing Creature
Artist/Author: Haddad, Nick$46.00 Add to cartA remarkable look at the rarest butterflies, how global changes threaten their existence, and how we can bring them back from near-extinction. Most of us have heard of such popular butterflies as the Monarch or Painted Lady. But what about the Fender’s Blue? Or the St. Francis’ Satyr? Because of their extreme rarity, these butterflies are not well-known, yet they are remarkable species with important lessons to teach us. The Last Butterflies spotlights the rarest of these creatures – some numbering no more than what can be held in one hand. Drawing from his own first-hand experiences, Nick Haddad explores the challenges of tracking these vanishing butterflies, why they are disappearing, and why they are worth saving. He also provides startling insights into the effects of human activity and environmental change on the planet’s biodiversity.
Weaving a vivid and personal narrative with ideas from ecology and conservation, Haddad illustrates the race against time to reverse the decline of six butterfly species. Many scientists mistakenly assume we fully understand butterflies’ natural histories. Yet, as with the Large Blue in England, we too often know too little and the conservation consequences are dire. Haddad argues that a hands-off approach is not effective and that in many instances, like for the Fender’s Blue and Bay Checkerspot, active and aggressive management is necessary. With deliberate conservation, rare butterflies can coexist with people, inhabit urban fringes, and, in the case of the St. Francis’ Satyr, even reside on bomb ranges and military land. Haddad shows how, through protection and restoration efforts, we might face conservation issues for all animals and plants.
A moving account of extinction, recovery, and hope, The Last Butterflies demonstrates the great value of these beautiful insects to science, conservation, and people.
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Wasp
Artist/Author: Jones, Richard$30.00 Add to cartFear and fascination set wasps apart from other insects. Despite their iconic form and distinctive colours, they are surrounded by myth and misunderstanding. Often portrayed in cartoon-like stereotypes bordering on sad parody, wasps have an unwelcome and undeserved reputation for aggressiveness bordering on vindictive spite. This mistrust is deep-seated in a human history that has awarded commercial and spiritual value to other insects, such as bees, but has failed to recognise any worth in wasps.
Leading entomologist Richard Jones redresses the balance in this enlightening and entertaining guide to the natural and cultural history of these powerful carnivores. Jones delves into their complex nesting and colony behaviour, their unique caste system and their major role at the centre of many food webs.
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Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Zealand
Artist/Author: Marinov, Milen, Mike Ashbee$57.00 Add to cartDragonflies and damselflies are among the most spectacular organisms on the planet. They have survived on earth for more than 325 million years, through a series of mass extinctions, by being exquisite examples of evolutionary adaptation: superb flyers with extraordinary vision and startling colours. This is a natural history and field guide to New Zealand’s 14 species of dragonflies and damselflies. Easy to observe around wetlands and rivers, dragonflies and damselflies are favourites of New Zealand nature lovers, and this book will be too.
Key features include:
– Expert and up-to-date information on the 14 species breeding in New Zealand.
– Natural history of the group including an introduction to evolution, habitats, biology, behaviour, photography and conservation.
– More than 200 new photographs and hand-drawn illustrations of dragonflies and damselflies at all life stages in their environment.
– Authoritative text on each species covering identification, measurement, behaviour, breeding, flying period and where to observe the species.
– Range maps for all species.
