Wasps : : The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect / / Eric R. Eaton, Eric R. Eaton.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter EBOOK PACKAGE COMPLETE 2021 English
• VerfasserIn: Eaton, Eric R.,
• Place / Publishing House: Princeton, NJ : : Princeton University Press, , [2021]; ©2021
• Year of Publication: 2021
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (256 p.) :; 150 color photos

The ultimate visual journey into the beautiful and complex world of waspsWasps are far more diverse than the familiar yellowjackets and hornets that harass picnickers and build nests under the eaves of our homes. These amazing, mostly solitary creatures thrive in nearly every habitat on Earth, and their influence on our lives is overwhelmingly beneficial. Wasps are agents of pest control in agriculture and gardens. They are subjects of study in medicine, engineering, and other important fields. Wasps pollinate flowers, engage in symbiotic relationships with other organisms, and create architectural masterpieces in the form of their nests. This richly illustrated book introduces you to some of the most spectacular members of the wasp realm, colorful in both appearance and lifestyle. From minute fairyflies to gargantuan tarantula hawks, wasps exploit almost every niche on the planet. So successful are they at survival that other organisms emulate their appearance and behavior. The sting is the least reason to respect wasps and, as you will see, no reason to loathe them, either. Written by a leading authority on these remarkable insects, Wasps reveals a world of staggering variety and endless fascination.Packed with more than 150 incredible color illustrationsIncludes a wealth of eye-popping infographicsProvides comprehensive treatments of most wasp familiesDescribes wasp species from all corners of the worldCovers wasp evolution, ecology, physiology, diversity, and behaviorHighlights the positive relationships wasps share with humans and the environment

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Introduction What is a wasp -- 1 Evolution The Origin of Wasps -- 2 Anatomy Structure and Function -- 3 Metamorphosis Purpose in Transformation -- 4 Beauty Purpose Expressed in Structural Design -- 5 Ecology The Place of Wasps in Ecosystems -- 6 Diversity Success Through Variation -- 7 Behavior Instinctive Complexity -- 8 Wasp Mimics Protection by Deception -- 9 Enemies of Wasps Subverting the Sting -- 10 Wasps and People A Misunderstood Relationship -- 11 A Wasp Family Album Microcosm of Diversity -- Glossary -- Useful References -- Index -- Picture Credits -- Acknowledgments