ALIEN WORLDS

A sharp, pertinent exploration of the bugs that rule the Earth.

There are 150 million insects, or 300 pounds, for every human being. By numbers of species—around 1 million “so far described” and “perhaps another 5 million out there”—they are the most successful animals ever. One of every 4 animals on Earth is a beetle. Nicholls, an award-winning documentary producer, entomologist, and author of Flowers of the Field and Paradise Found, explains that all insects have three distinct body sections: head (eyes, mouthparts, and antennae), thorax (the engine room with muscles to power the legs and wings) and abdomen (with all other organs essential for life, including digestion and the reproductive system). Attached to the thorax are three pairs of legs and two pairs of wings, although both may be reduced in some species. Birds and mammals converted their front legs to wings, but insects evolved theirs from scratch—another conundrum biologists continue to puzzle over. Nicholls joins other writers on unpopular creatures (bugs, germs, rodents) by emphasizing how useful they are. Insects pollinate crops, delight our senses with beauty and lights, eat damaging pests—often via grisly, inside-out parasitism—and serve as nutritious food. “Insects are by far the most ecologically sound way of producing animal protein,” writes the author. In short, we couldn’t live without them. Nicholls also pays attention to their diminishing numbers. The massive deployment of insecticides and monoculture farms are eliminating insects no less than mammals and birds. In parts of the world, farmers hand-pollinate crops, “an unbelievably tedious and time-consuming process.” Bees are still on the job in the U.S., but their numbers are also decreasing. Among countless other interesting facts, readers will soak up vivid details of carnivorous plants and learn about insects’ ability to jump great distances or walk on water. They will also enjoy the generous selection of beautiful, occasionally gruesome photographs spread throughout the text.

Exemplary popular science.