Prepare to be enchanted with an in-depth and up-close view of the most loved of all invertebrates, the praying mantis! Keeping the Praying Mantis is a huge resource designed to give mantis enthusiasts every tool needed for feeding, housing, and rearing these magical (almost mythological) creatures. Details on their biology, relationship with man over the ages, behavior, and captive husbandry will give you a solid foundation for successfully keeping fascinating species from around the world. From ant mimics and unicorn mantids to Devil's flower, orchid, and ghost mantids, there are species to entice every insect hobbyist.
An introduction to the intriguing world of insects, from bullet ants to butterflies. Designed as an introduction to the intriguing world of insect biology, this book examines familiar entomological topics in nontraditional ways. Author David B. Rivers gives important concepts relatable context through a pop culture lens, and he covers subjects that are not typical for entomology textbooks, including the impact of insects on the human condition, the sex lives of insects, why insects are phat but not fat, forensic entomology, and the threats that some insects pose to humanity. Each chapter presents clear and concise key concepts, chapter reviews, review questions following Bloom’s taxonomy of learning, web links to videos and other resources, and breakout boxes (called Fly Spots) that capture student interest with unique and entertaining facts related to entomology. Focusing on both traditional and cutting-edge aspects of insect biology and packed with extensive learning resources, Insects covers a wide range of topics suitable for life science majors, as well as non-science students, including: • the positive and negative influences of insects on everyday human life • insect abundance • insect classification (here presented in the context of social media) • insect feeding, communication, defense, and sex • how insects are responding to climate change • forensic entomology • how insects can be used as weapons of war • how insects relate to national security • why insects have wings • how to read pesticide labels
"Reviews current understanding of mantid biology related to their taxonomy and morphology, reproduction, neurobiology, ecology, and defense strategies." -- Choice
This book provides details on keeping and breeding one of the most spectacular of creation's invertebrates: the famous and loved Praying Mantis. Information includes oothecae care, nymph and adult care, breeding, the mantis garden, USA native and adventive species list, exotic species list, glossary and resources.
This peer reviewed text includes a dichotomous key to all 16 genera of Mantodea found in the U.S. and Canada. Extremely detailed descriptions are provided for each of the 28 species found within this region. One newly listed invasive species is documented, raising the total number of introduced species to seven-25% of the region's Mantodea fauna. Updated species treatments include taxonomic illustrations, precise morphological descriptions, accurate morphometry, complete natural history documentation, exhaustive historical literature review, and detailed distribution range maps. There are 183 illustrations contained within the 297 pages of text, including 120 color photographs of live specimens.
The definitive photographic identification guide to the orthopterans of the region, complete with sounds. This is the first guide to the 261 species of orthopterans – the grasshoppers, crickets and katydids – of Britain and western Europe ever published. Set out in a clear and accessible format and featuring a combination of photographs and illustrations, the book covers identification criteria of all of the main species and subspecies, with detailed photographs of males and females, distribution maps, status, habitat descriptions, oscillograms, advice on where and when to find them, and tips to avoid confusion during the often tricky process of identification. Comprehensive general chapters also cover morphology, ecology and habitat, and assist with research in the field. What makes this work the total package? The book comes with a CD, featuring 222 orthopteran songs. Together, book and CD make this the definitive guide to these insects and a rich resource for any naturalist in the region.
Recent phylogenetic studies on evolutionary relationships within the Acanthopoidea, known as “polymorphic earless praying mantises,” revealed numerous issues with the taxonomic status and morphological boundaries of many genera and species within this superfamily. The authors of this monograph present a thorough morphological assessment based on museum specimens and reexamination of type material, aimed toward redefining the morphological delineation of all Acanthopoidea genera, verifying the generic identity of all nominal species within the superfamily, and establishing taxonomic and nomenclatural foundations for future revisionary studies of acanthopoid genera. Their work resulted in numerous modifications in the taxonomy of this lineage, including the description of a new genus.
What arachnologist worth his salt could forget the arachnid with a two-foot legspan? The Order Amblypygi not only contains world record species, but also some of the most improbable and unbelievable looking members of the Class Arachnida. Otherwise known as whipspiders, these creatures appear to have been formed in the deep recesses of a human nightmare, and yet are the only large arachnids that are entirely harmless to humans. Predatory whipspiders display advanced social behaviors and externally visible reproductive biology of immense complexity. This text presents cutting edge biological details, supporting Scanning Electron Micrographs, and unparalleled captive reproduction information with photographic documentation.
