The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species from Around the World

The weird and wonderful world of insects boasts some of the strangest creatures found in nature, and caterpillars are perhaps the most bizarre of all. While most of us picture caterpillars as cute fuzzballs munching on leaves, there is much more to them than we imagine. A caterpillar's survival hinges on finding enough food and defending itself from the array of natural enemies lined up to pounce and consume. And the astounding adaptations and strategies they have developed to maximize their chances of becoming a butterfly or moth are only just beginning to be understood, from the Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar that resembles a small snake to the Eastern Carpenter Bee Hawkmoth caterpillar that attempts to dissuade potential predators by looking like a diseased leaf.

The Book of Caterpillars unveils the mysteries of six hundred species from around the world, introducing readers to the complexity and beauty of these underappreciated insects. With the advent of high-quality digital macrophotography, the world of caterpillars is finally opening up. The book presents a wealth of stunning imagery that showcases the astonishing diversity of caterpillar design, structure, coloration, and patterning. Each entry also features a two-tone engraving of the adult specimen, emphasizing the wing patterns and shades, as well as a population distribution map and table of essential information that includes their habitat, typical host plants, and conservation status. Throughout the book are fascinating facts that will enthrall expert entomologists and curious collectors alike.

A visually rich and scientifically accurate guide to six hundred of the world's most peculiar caterpillars, this volume presents readers with a rare, detailed look at these intriguing forms of insect life.

Author: David G. James
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Published: 10/17/2017
Pages: 656
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 5.15lbs
Size: 10.90h x 7.60w x 1.90d
ISBN: 9780226287362


Review Citation(s):
Choice 06/01/2018

About the Author
David G. James is associate professor of entomology at Washington State University and the co-author of Life Histories of Cascadia Butterflies. Sally Morgan has written more than 250 children's information titles, covering wildlife, natural history, science, geography, and environmental topics. Andrei Sourakov is the collections coordinator at the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity and the Florida Museum of Natural History.