Contents

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter I
2. Contents VII
3. Part One. In perspective
4. 1. The place of insects in nature 3
5. 2. The diversity of insects 24
6. Part Two. Form and function
7. 3. The outside 43
8. 4. Flight 53
9. 5. The inside 65
10. 6. Reproduction and development 75
11. 7. Sense organs and behavior 83
12. Part Three. Insects and their environment
13. 8. Climate and season 99
14. 9. Insects and plants 107
15. 10. Insects and other animals 116
16. 11. Insects versus insects 120
17. 12. Insect life in the water 126
18. Part Four. Parade of the insects
19. 13. Insects without wings 133
20. 14. Primitive winged insects 141
21. 15. A specialized sideline 159
22. 16. Ancient aquatics 179
23. 17. Beetles 193
24. 18. Butterflies and moths 209
25. 19. The two-winged flies 219
26. 20. On stings and societies 232
27. Conclusion 265
28. Bibliographical appendix 269
29. Index 283