Ten Insects That Changed the World

Ten Insects That Changed the World

Author: Jim Nelson

Publisher: Outskirts Press

Published: 2024-05-26

Total Pages: 196

ISBN-13: 1977275052

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Did you know that the mosquito played an important role in the Louisiana Purchase? Or that dung beetles saved the cattle industry in Australia? That honeybees pollinate about one third of the food we eat? Or that the deadliest animal on earth is an insect? There’s an ant colony some 3,700 miles long! Morgan’s sphinx moth has a tongue more than 13 inches long. A locust plague stopped trains as the tracks became slippery with their crushed bodies. There’s a grasshopper in Africa that eats mice. Jim Nelson’s latest book is a treasure house of fascinating facts, stunning photographs and shocking historical events. One moment you might cringe reading about billions of locusts descending on farmland. The next you may laugh out loud at anecdotes and original poetry. Read about the wasp that turns a cockroach into a zombie or the historic 2024 hatch of a trillion cicadas. Trivia buffs will love the “Insect Book of Records” and chefs can add several insect recipes to their repertoire.


Book Synopsis Ten Insects That Changed the World by : Jim Nelson

Download or read book Ten Insects That Changed the World written by Jim Nelson and published by Outskirts Press. This book was released on 2024-05-26 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Did you know that the mosquito played an important role in the Louisiana Purchase? Or that dung beetles saved the cattle industry in Australia? That honeybees pollinate about one third of the food we eat? Or that the deadliest animal on earth is an insect? There’s an ant colony some 3,700 miles long! Morgan’s sphinx moth has a tongue more than 13 inches long. A locust plague stopped trains as the tracks became slippery with their crushed bodies. There’s a grasshopper in Africa that eats mice. Jim Nelson’s latest book is a treasure house of fascinating facts, stunning photographs and shocking historical events. One moment you might cringe reading about billions of locusts descending on farmland. The next you may laugh out loud at anecdotes and original poetry. Read about the wasp that turns a cockroach into a zombie or the historic 2024 hatch of a trillion cicadas. Trivia buffs will love the “Insect Book of Records” and chefs can add several insect recipes to their repertoire.

Bugged

Bugged

Author: Sarah Albee

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2014-04-15

Total Pages: 178

ISBN-13: 0802734227

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

A funny, insightful exploration of the clash between the human and insect worlds - to sometimes disastrous results


Book Synopsis Bugged by : Sarah Albee

Download or read book Bugged written by Sarah Albee and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2014-04-15 with total page 178 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A funny, insightful exploration of the clash between the human and insect worlds - to sometimes disastrous results

The Mosquito

The Mosquito

Author: Timothy C. Winegard

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2019-08-06

Total Pages: 639

ISBN-13: 1524743437

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

**The instant New York Times bestseller.** *An international bestseller.* Finalist for the Lane Anderson Award Finalist for the RBC Taylor Award “Hugely impressive, a major work.”—NPR A 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.


Book Synopsis The Mosquito by : Timothy C. Winegard

Download or read book The Mosquito written by Timothy C. Winegard and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2019-08-06 with total page 639 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: **The instant New York Times bestseller.** *An international bestseller.* Finalist for the Lane Anderson Award Finalist for the RBC Taylor Award “Hugely impressive, a major work.”—NPR A 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.

Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis

Author: Erica McAlister

Publisher: Smithsonian Institution

Published: 2024-04-09

Total Pages: 217

ISBN-13: 1588347672

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

An accessible, beautifully illustrated celebration of insects—and their extraordinary contributions to humankind—from the hosts of the BBC Radio's Metamorphosis Insects outnumber humans 200 million to one, and their impact on people and the planet boasts a similar magnitude. Metamorphosis: How Insects Are Changing Our World investigates how modern entomological wonders contribute to the prosperity of humankind. Featuring more than 80 color illustrations that highlight the impressive variety and vibrancy of everything from beetles to blowflies, the book covers contemporary topics that emphasize the intersections between insects, technology, and the future of the planet, including: the role of insect metamorphosis as a barometer to track future climate change how invaluable the fruit fly has been to space travel how the hawkmoth’s tongue is inspiring bioengineers to develop medical nanoprobes the way bee intelligence is shaping sophisticated flying robots for surveillance and rescue how a network of fly farms are set to lower carbon emissions The study of insects has led to incredible strides in robotics, genetics, forensics, agriculture, medicine, aerospace, artificial intelligence, and biodiversity. Metamorphosis celebrates insect-driven progress and captures its sense of possibility with up-to-date research and scientific storytelling that connects readers to the bugs around them.


Book Synopsis Metamorphosis by : Erica McAlister

Download or read book Metamorphosis written by Erica McAlister and published by Smithsonian Institution. This book was released on 2024-04-09 with total page 217 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An accessible, beautifully illustrated celebration of insects—and their extraordinary contributions to humankind—from the hosts of the BBC Radio's Metamorphosis Insects outnumber humans 200 million to one, and their impact on people and the planet boasts a similar magnitude. Metamorphosis: How Insects Are Changing Our World investigates how modern entomological wonders contribute to the prosperity of humankind. Featuring more than 80 color illustrations that highlight the impressive variety and vibrancy of everything from beetles to blowflies, the book covers contemporary topics that emphasize the intersections between insects, technology, and the future of the planet, including: the role of insect metamorphosis as a barometer to track future climate change how invaluable the fruit fly has been to space travel how the hawkmoth’s tongue is inspiring bioengineers to develop medical nanoprobes the way bee intelligence is shaping sophisticated flying robots for surveillance and rescue how a network of fly farms are set to lower carbon emissions The study of insects has led to incredible strides in robotics, genetics, forensics, agriculture, medicine, aerospace, artificial intelligence, and biodiversity. Metamorphosis celebrates insect-driven progress and captures its sense of possibility with up-to-date research and scientific storytelling that connects readers to the bugs around them.

Six-Legged Soldiers

Six-Legged Soldiers

Author: Jeffrey A. Lockwood

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2010-07-22

Total Pages: 401

ISBN-13: 0199733538

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Examines how insects have been used as weapons in wartime conflicts throughout history, presenting as examples how scorpions were used in Roman times and hornets nests were used during the MIddle Ages in siege warfare and how insects have been used in Vietnam, China, and Korea.


Book Synopsis Six-Legged Soldiers by : Jeffrey A. Lockwood

Download or read book Six-Legged Soldiers written by Jeffrey A. Lockwood and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2010-07-22 with total page 401 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Examines how insects have been used as weapons in wartime conflicts throughout history, presenting as examples how scorpions were used in Roman times and hornets nests were used during the MIddle Ages in siege warfare and how insects have been used in Vietnam, China, and Korea.

The Butterfly Effect

The Butterfly Effect

Author: Edward D. Melillo

Publisher: Knopf

Published: 2020-08-25

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 1524733229

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

A fascinating, entertaining dive into the long-standing relationship between humans and insects, revealing the surprising ways we depend on these tiny, six-legged creatures. Insects might make us shudder in disgust, but they are also responsible for many of the things we take for granted in our daily lives. When we bite into a shiny apple, listen to the resonant notes of a violin, get dressed, receive a dental implant, or get a manicure, we are the beneficiaries of a vast army of insects. Try as we might to replicate their raw material (silk, shellac, and cochineal, for instance), our artificial substitutes have proven subpar at best, and at worst toxic, ensuring our interdependence with the insect world for the foreseeable future. Drawing on research in laboratory science, agriculture, fashion, and international cuisine, Edward D. Melillo weaves a vibrant world history that illustrates the inextricable and fascinating bonds between humans and insects. Across time, we have not only coexisted with these creatures but have relied on them for, among other things, the key discoveries of modern medical science and the future of the world's food supply. Without insects, entire sectors of global industry would grind to a halt and essential features of modern life would disappear. Here is a beguiling appreciation of the ways in which these creatures have altered--and continue to shape--the very framework of our existence.


Book Synopsis The Butterfly Effect by : Edward D. Melillo

Download or read book The Butterfly Effect written by Edward D. Melillo and published by Knopf. This book was released on 2020-08-25 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A fascinating, entertaining dive into the long-standing relationship between humans and insects, revealing the surprising ways we depend on these tiny, six-legged creatures. Insects might make us shudder in disgust, but they are also responsible for many of the things we take for granted in our daily lives. When we bite into a shiny apple, listen to the resonant notes of a violin, get dressed, receive a dental implant, or get a manicure, we are the beneficiaries of a vast army of insects. Try as we might to replicate their raw material (silk, shellac, and cochineal, for instance), our artificial substitutes have proven subpar at best, and at worst toxic, ensuring our interdependence with the insect world for the foreseeable future. Drawing on research in laboratory science, agriculture, fashion, and international cuisine, Edward D. Melillo weaves a vibrant world history that illustrates the inextricable and fascinating bonds between humans and insects. Across time, we have not only coexisted with these creatures but have relied on them for, among other things, the key discoveries of modern medical science and the future of the world's food supply. Without insects, entire sectors of global industry would grind to a halt and essential features of modern life would disappear. Here is a beguiling appreciation of the ways in which these creatures have altered--and continue to shape--the very framework of our existence.

Insects

Insects

Author: Steven A. Marshall

Publisher: Richmond Hill, Ont. : Firefly Books

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 790

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

An examination of the characteristics, habitat and behavior of insects, including comprehensive picture keys for insect identification.


Book Synopsis Insects by : Steven A. Marshall

Download or read book Insects written by Steven A. Marshall and published by Richmond Hill, Ont. : Firefly Books. This book was released on 2006 with total page 790 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An examination of the characteristics, habitat and behavior of insects, including comprehensive picture keys for insect identification.

Never Home Alone

Never Home Alone

Author: Rob Dunn

Publisher: Basic Books

Published: 2018-11-06

Total Pages: 380

ISBN-13: 154164574X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

A natural history of the wilderness in our homes, from the microbes in our showers to the crickets in our basements Even when the floors are sparkling clean and the house seems silent, our domestic domain is wild beyond imagination. In Never Home Alone, biologist Rob Dunn introduces us to the nearly 200,000 species living with us in our own homes, from the Egyptian meal moths in our cupboards and camel crickets in our basements to the lactobacillus lounging on our kitchen counters. You are not alone. Yet, as we obsess over sterilizing our homes and separating our spaces from nature, we are unwittingly cultivating an entirely new playground for evolution. These changes are reshaping the organisms that live with us -- prompting some to become more dangerous, while undermining those species that benefit our bodies or help us keep more threatening organisms at bay. No one who reads this engrossing, revelatory book will look at their homes in the same way again.


Book Synopsis Never Home Alone by : Rob Dunn

Download or read book Never Home Alone written by Rob Dunn and published by Basic Books. This book was released on 2018-11-06 with total page 380 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A natural history of the wilderness in our homes, from the microbes in our showers to the crickets in our basements Even when the floors are sparkling clean and the house seems silent, our domestic domain is wild beyond imagination. In Never Home Alone, biologist Rob Dunn introduces us to the nearly 200,000 species living with us in our own homes, from the Egyptian meal moths in our cupboards and camel crickets in our basements to the lactobacillus lounging on our kitchen counters. You are not alone. Yet, as we obsess over sterilizing our homes and separating our spaces from nature, we are unwittingly cultivating an entirely new playground for evolution. These changes are reshaping the organisms that live with us -- prompting some to become more dangerous, while undermining those species that benefit our bodies or help us keep more threatening organisms at bay. No one who reads this engrossing, revelatory book will look at their homes in the same way again.

Planet of the Bugs

Planet of the Bugs

Author: Scott Richard Shaw

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 2014-09-11

Total Pages: 263

ISBN-13: 022616361X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Chronicles the evolution of insects and explains how evolutionary innovations have enabled them to disperse widely, occupy narrow niches, and survive global catastrophes. --Publisher's description.


Book Synopsis Planet of the Bugs by : Scott Richard Shaw

Download or read book Planet of the Bugs written by Scott Richard Shaw and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 2014-09-11 with total page 263 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Chronicles the evolution of insects and explains how evolutionary innovations have enabled them to disperse widely, occupy narrow niches, and survive global catastrophes. --Publisher's description.

Insect Biodiversity

Insect Biodiversity

Author: Robert G. Foottit

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2018-04-11

Total Pages: 1024

ISBN-13: 111894559X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Volume Two of the new guide to the study of biodiversity in insects Volume Two of Insect Biodiversity: Science and Society presents an entirely new, companion volume of a comprehensive resource for the most current research on the influence insects have on humankind and on our endangered environment. With contributions from leading researchers and scholars on the topic, the text explores relevant topics including biodiversity in different habitats and regions, taxonomic groups, and perspectives. Volume Two offers coverage of insect biodiversity in regional settings, such as the Arctic and Asia, and in particular habitats including crops, caves, and islands. The authors also include information on historical, cultural, technical, and climatic perspectives of insect biodiversity. This book explores the wide variety of insect species and their evolutionary relationships. Case studies offer assessments on how insect biodiversity can help meet the needs of a rapidly expanding human population, and examine the consequences that an increased loss of insect species will have on the world. This important text: Offers the most up-to-date information on the important topic of insect biodiversity Explores vital topics such as the impact on insect biodiversity through habitat loss and degradation and climate change With its companion Volume I, presents current information on the biodiversity of all insect orders Contains reviews of insect biodiversity in culture and art, in the fossil record, and in agricultural systems Includes scientific approaches and methods for the study of insect biodiversity The book offers scientists, academics, professionals, and students a guide for a better understanding of the biology and ecology of insects, highlighting the need to sustainably manage ecosystems in an ever-changing global environment.


Book Synopsis Insect Biodiversity by : Robert G. Foottit

Download or read book Insect Biodiversity written by Robert G. Foottit and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2018-04-11 with total page 1024 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Volume Two of the new guide to the study of biodiversity in insects Volume Two of Insect Biodiversity: Science and Society presents an entirely new, companion volume of a comprehensive resource for the most current research on the influence insects have on humankind and on our endangered environment. With contributions from leading researchers and scholars on the topic, the text explores relevant topics including biodiversity in different habitats and regions, taxonomic groups, and perspectives. Volume Two offers coverage of insect biodiversity in regional settings, such as the Arctic and Asia, and in particular habitats including crops, caves, and islands. The authors also include information on historical, cultural, technical, and climatic perspectives of insect biodiversity. This book explores the wide variety of insect species and their evolutionary relationships. Case studies offer assessments on how insect biodiversity can help meet the needs of a rapidly expanding human population, and examine the consequences that an increased loss of insect species will have on the world. This important text: Offers the most up-to-date information on the important topic of insect biodiversity Explores vital topics such as the impact on insect biodiversity through habitat loss and degradation and climate change With its companion Volume I, presents current information on the biodiversity of all insect orders Contains reviews of insect biodiversity in culture and art, in the fossil record, and in agricultural systems Includes scientific approaches and methods for the study of insect biodiversity The book offers scientists, academics, professionals, and students a guide for a better understanding of the biology and ecology of insects, highlighting the need to sustainably manage ecosystems in an ever-changing global environment.