This new guide will be of great value to entomologists, both amateur and professional, as well as to students, nature conservation officers, game rangers, gardeners, farmers, tourists and anyone with an interest in natural history. An introductory chapter discusses the insect body, life history, classification and distribution patterns and relatives of southern African insects. It also touches on collecting, displaying and curating insects and explains 'How to use this book'.
Charles Griffiths, of the Department of Zoology, University of Cape Town. His focus is primarily marine invasive species and marine biodiversity and taxonomy, as well as general rocky shore ecology. Mike Picker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Town. His research on the insects of our arid regions has resulted in 130 publications and four guide books. He has a very broad knowledge of the natural history and ecology of the rich South African insect fauna. Alan Weaving is a retired entomologist with a particular interest in wasps and has published two books on the insect diversity of southern Africa.
"Even those insect lovers not living in or bound for South Africa
will want a copy of the guide. Clarity defines every aspect of the
effort. The introductory material hits just the right general notes
regarding life cycle and taxonomic matters. The photographs
mesmerize. All or most seem to have been taken with insects in
situ. And it not just the showy and clever mimics, such as flower
mantids of Hymenopodidae, that get hold of the mind. Every
photograph tantalizes the desire to know more, see more, and get
out and observe nature. The succinct text gives enough details to
ensure that the ways and likely whereabouts of a family are
understood. Peculiarities such as the order Strepsitera in which
the parasitic females never live apart from the insect host while
the males fly freely are described well. A one-page essay on insect
photography addresses the depth-of-field issue that all
photographers of the six-legged world know well. Indexes to
scientific and common names, a further reading list, a list of
Websites, and a glossary fortify what is simply a splendid
book."--American Reference Books Annual, Volume 37
"Featuring full-color photography of over 1,200 insect species,
Field Guide To Insects Of South Africa is a comprehensive guide to
insect fauna of South Africa, now in an updated 2004 edition.
Senior Zoology Lecturer Mike Picker, Associate Zoology Professor
Charles Griffiths, and retired entomologist Alan Weaving combine
their knowledge and expertise in this guide that offers extensive
identification details, maps of regional habitats, and basic
biology information allowing for quick and simple field
identification of insect species. An index of scientific names, and
an introduction to insect hunting and classification round out this
easy-to-use guide for amateur nature lovers and professional
zoologists alike."--Midwest Book Review
"This new guide will be of great value to entomologists, both
amateur and professional, as well as to students, nature
conservation officers, game rangers, gardeners, farmers, tourists
and anyone with an interest in natural history. An introductory
chapter discusses the insect body, life history, classification and
distribution patterns and relatives of southern African insects. It
also touches on collecting, displaying and curating insects and
explains 'How to use this book'. A useful photographic guide to the
insects of the region."--Ian Paulsen "The Birdbooker Report "
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