<p>To date, more than a million insect species have been described, with probably at least another 5-8 million species waiting in the wings for a name. Insects are a fascinatingly diverse and beautiful spectrum of animals. They range in size from the tiny parasitic wasp, measuring a mere 139�m, to the aptly named Titan beetle, which can reach lengths of up to 17cm. They can be found on all continents of the world, from the Sahara Desert to the frozen wastes of Antarctica; in caves, under the ground, inside plants, other insects and vertebrates, in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds, in puddles, in the watery interiors of pitcher plants; and in our houses. While no insects live beneath the waves, the intrepid sea skaters skim the surface of some of the world's oceans.\nThis Very Short Introduction explores the extraordinary world of insects. It analyses insect evolution, taxonomy and development, and describes their behaviour, their life styles, and the interactions they have with other insects and other animals. As Simon Leather shows, insects are the bedrock on which human civilisation rests; without them we would almost certainly not exist. Although they can be seen as pests of our crops plants, they are also invaluable for pollinating our flowering plants and are an invaluable link in all land ecosystems. As they face challenges from climate change and pesticides it has never been more important to understand these oft-dismissed creatures.\nVery Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring\nABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.</p>

Insects: A Very Short Introduction

Science & Math

Leather, Simon R

Biological Sciences

Oxford University Press

Cherry trees of various kinds are common in gardens and in the countryside, and the rich communities of insects that live on them offer excellent opportunities for research. The authors' own work has already shown how studies of cherry insects can address major ecological questions. As cherries become more popular for planting in amenity areas and woodland, it becomes increasingly important to understand how their insects interact with each other and with the host plant. We hope this book will encourage more people to contribute to this research and to take advantage of the opportunities offered by this very accessible and diverse insect community.The book introduces the insect species associated with cherry trees, draws attention to particularly interesting features of the insect communities, and highlights topics on which further investigation is needed.

Insects on Cherry Trees (Naturalists' Handbooks) (Vol)

Bland, Keith P

Pelagic

Insects on Cherry Trees (Naturalists' Handbooks)

The Richmond Publishing Co.

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Books by Leather, Simon R