Beetles

Beetles are everywhere, an unsurprising fact when we consider they are one of the most common living things on Earth. Marshall provides broad and specific details about beetles around the world. He also shares his own experiences in this first-person narrative. Part 1 considers beetles in general--their biology and history--while the second part examines beetles throughout the world and how they differ... Those interested in learning to identify beetles will find the volume extremely helpful. Chapters seven through ten break down beetles into family groups, with plenty of photographs illustrating the groups described. The end material, which includes information on collecting and preserving beetles, also provides thoughtful tips for photographing them. As the author is also the photographer of many of the pictures featured, the advice is welcome. For educated, devoted entomologists.-- (11/01/2018) This comprehensive, hefty, and detailed overview of beetles introduces readers to the history, habits, and habitats of the order Coleoptera. More than half the book is devoted to a family-by-family profile of the various species. For the armchair enthusiast and general collector, the book includes a chapter on how to collect, preserve, and photograph beetles. Also included is a key that provides images along with features to aid in identifying specific beetle species. Detailed information is interspersed with funny anecdotes by the author, including the fact that the U.S. was accused of using beetles as weapons of war during the WWII, and the requisite reference to the Beatles. A section on beetles in literature is also included. The text is replete with well-annotated images and stunning pictures and concludes with a list of references, further readings, and a thorough index. Marshall's (Flies, 2012) work is certain to appeal to, engage, and inform anyone with an interest in entomology, especially in public libraries.--Maren Ostergard Booklist (12/01/2018) One can open this book anywhere in the almost 800 pages and be met with beautiful photographs of beetles, many of them taken in the field; alone, these would make the book a centrepiece on any naturalist's coffee table. However, the huge volume of information in the text will make this a go-to reference book for even the most ardent coleopteris... A book of this quality and magnitude is rare; there should be no second thoughts about getting this for yourself or other insect enthusiast.-- (04/01/2018) My first reaction to receiving this volume is that it is a very weighty tome... But, on opening the pages, I realised that it is the extravaganza of stunning colour images of beetles from around the planet that is the real weight of this remarkable book. Lavish illustration on this scale is amazing... This book is however not just about its images. It provides a comprehensive overview of the world's beetles. It is a remarkable introduction to the wealth of beetles that our planet has to offer.-- (12/01/2018) With almost 400,000 known species, beetles (order Coleoptera) represent the largest and most diverse group of living animals. As Marshall (Univ. of Guelph) emphasizes, the life histories and survival strategies of these remarkable insects are highly varied and intriguing. In this celebration of beetle diversity, he gathers together a wealth of information about these fascinating insects. Following a general discussion on fundamental aspects of beetle biology, Marshall examines the numerous families and subfamilies of beetles. Consideration is given to evolutionary relationships among different groups and to select features of natural history. Discussion is global in scope, with representative examples of fascinating lifestyles drawn from around the world. Marshall does an excellent job highlighting the rich diversity of these insects. An illustrated key to the major families of beetles is a useful addition. A brief discussion on collecting and photographing beetles is also included. This interesting, well-written volume is richly illustrated with thousands of high-quality photographs. Jargon is kept to a minimum, making the book largely accessible to general readers. It will be of considerable value to both professional and amateur entomologists, as well as to anyone with a serious interest in beetles. Summing up: Essential. All readers.-- (03/01/2019) Honorable Mention, 2019 Dartmouth Medal for Most Outstanding Reference Work Beetles: The Natural History and Diversity of Coleoptera represents the culmination of entomologist Stephen Marshall's research. Its rich illustrations, comprehensive coverage, and useful essays make this a valuable resource.--American Library Association (01/27/2019) It will be a mistake to assume that this book is just a photographic guide to the various beetle families. The first part of the book is almost 180 pages long and includes details on topics such as mating behavior, defense, bioluminescence, beetle associations with fungi and plants, beetles as pests, beetle development, endangered beetles, and beetles and culture. And while every single page is indeed beautifully illustrated with high definition color images, the writing is also succinct and well researched... There are more than 500 pages of beautifully photographed beetles, with astonishing emphasis on representing even the scarcest of the families and subfamilies. The coverage of the book is global and just this fact alone makes it a worthwhile purchase to anybody with a remote interest in coleopterology... The identification keys to the beetle families are found in the third part of the book, along with a chapter on collecting, preserving, and photographing beetles. To me, these identification keys are the hidden gem of this book. While the author is modest to mention that they are intended for the general naturalist, I cannot imagine a professional Coleopterist not using them for routine identifications... Beetles: The Natural History and Diversity of Coleoptera is not an inexpensive book. However, it is definitely worth every penny. This is the first book I will recommend from now on to anyone interested in beetles, be that a professional entomologist, a student, or a naturalist.-- (06/01/2019)