Know your insects with these books

Two new books about insects have recently been launched to fill the gaps on your bookshelves . ❑ Ants of Southern Africa by Peter Slingsby is said to be the first field guide on ants in our region . The book is lavishly illustrated with Philip Herbst ' s macrophotographs , and the best of some 50 more observers from ' iSpot '. Contents include the biology of ants and how to identify them . There are descriptions and illustrations of 225 local species , with notes on a further 400 + species . The descriptions contain a “ how common ” ranking , the actual size , the major habitats and the distribution of each specie . There is also a comprehensive index and bibliography . Although passionate about his subject , Peter Slingsby writes with humour , making the book easy to read . Find out about the commonest ant species that are everywhere around you , in your home , your garden and the veld near you using this clear , concise and beautifully illustrated guide . The book has been welcomed as a useful addition to the books on the natural history of southern Africa and it is hoped that it will open eyes and minds to these intriguing and important insects . To order go to http :// - www . slingsbymaps . com . You can buy the book on its own for R295 or you can get a package of the book plus a 60x minimicroscope for R332 . ❑ If you want to know about the secret world of southern African insects , Insectopedia is the book for you . It uncovers the fascinating and infinitely varied world of insects . It explores their intriguing behaviour and biology - from mating and breeding , metamorphosis and movement to sight , smell , hearing and their adaptations to heat and cold . A chapter on superorganisms probes the curious phenomenon of social communities among insects ; another covers the critical role that these creatures play in maintaining the fragile balance of life on our planet . The book concludes with a 60-page illustrated field guide , describing most insect orders and their main families . Previously published as Insectopedia of Southern

Continued on page 45

44 www . sasmallholder . co . za