Bugs Rule!: An Introduction to the World of Insects

Bugs Rule! provides a lively introduction to the biology and natural history of insects and their noninsect cousins, such as spiders, scorpions, and centipedes. This richly illustrated textbook features more than 830 color photos, a concise overview of the basics of entomology, and numerous sidebars that highlight and explain key points. Detailed chapters cover each of the major insect groups, describing their physiology, behaviors, feeding habits, reproduction, human interactions, and more.

Ideal for nonscience majors and anyone seeking to learn more about insects and their arthropod relatives, Bugs Rule! offers a one-of-a-kind gateway into the world of these amazing creatures.

• Places a greater emphasis on natural history than standard textbooks on the subject
• Covers the biology and natural history of all the insect orders
• Provides a thorough review of the noninsect arthropods, such as spiders, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, and crustaceans
• Features more than 830 color photos
• Highlights the importance of insects and other arthropods, including their impact on human society
• An online illustration package is available to professors

"Breadth classes dealing with insects have been extremely popular among science and nonscience majors for decades. The photographs, illustrations, little known facts, and sidebars in Bugs Rule! bring to life the fascinating world of insects. Bugs Rule! is an excellent text for the nonscience major and general nature enthusiast."--Michael K. Rust, University of California, Riverside

"Bugs Rule! offers a basic introduction to the biology and diversity of insects and their importance to the environment and to humans. It provides a good balance between science and interesting highlights that illustrate why insects are so vital to our lives. Students will enjoy the book."--Tom Weissling, University of Nebraska

"Readable and accessible, Bugs Rule! is crammed with tidbits of information."--Jonathan Neal, Purdue University

Whitney Cranshaw is professor of entomology at Colorado State University. He is the author of "Garden Insects of North America" (Princeton). Richard Redak is professor of entomology at the University of California, Riverside. Both authors have years of experience teaching introductory entomology classes.

PREFACE ix

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xi

1 Introduction to the Arthropods 1

2 What One Sees on the Outside--External Features of Insects 14

3 The Internal Organization 39

4 Growth and Metamorphosis 58

5 The Arachnids--Spiders, Scorpions, Mites, and Other Eight-Legged Wonders 75

6 The "Other" Arthropods 119

7 Oldies but Goodies 136

8 Insects Fly! 144

9 Jumpers and Strollers--Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Walkingsticks 155

10 Variety Is the Spice of Life--Some Minor, but Interesting, Insect Orders 171

11 Roach Cities and Assassin Cousins 182

12 Lousy Nitpickers 202

13 Life on an All-Fluid Diet 212

14 Insect Bruisers and Their Lacewinged Cousins 252

15 City Builders That Rule 296

16 Scale-Winged Beauties and Custom Homebuilders 339

17 "Gift" Bearers of Plague--or a Plump Insect Wedding Present 377

18 Marvels of the Air--Two-Winged Wonders 387

APPENDIX I: STATE INSECTS 425

APPENDIX II: LARGEST ARTHROPODS 431

APPENDIX III: SUMMARY OF FEATURES OF THE HEXAPOD ORDERS 435

GLOSSARY 459

INDEX 475