Moths, often regarded as the nocturnal counterparts to the more popular butterflies, have been an integral part of our planet’s history for an astounding 200 million years. Yet, their reputation is often overshadowed by misconceptions. Regrettably, when people think of moths, they frequently associate them with clothing damage, overlooking their inherent beauty.
Continue reading Mysteries of Moths: Illuminating the Night’s Hidden Beauty
The natural world is a treasure trove of mysteries and beauty, often concealed within the folds of darkness. John Himmelman’s book, “Discovering Moths: Nighttime Jewels in Your Own Backyard, Eastern North American Species,” serves as a luminous guide to the enchanting universe of moths that grace our landscapes during the twilight hours. Published with a passion for education and the wonders of the night, this book invites readers to explore the intricate lives of these lesser-known creatures, highlighting their importance and magnificence.
Continue reading Mysteries Unveiled: Embarking on Nocturnal Adventures with “Discovering Moths: Nighttime Jewels in Your Own Backyard” by Jim HimmelmanThere have been many field guides to spiders over the years and most are really good. Of the more than 49,000 species of spiders worldwide, some 4,000 are in North America. Spiders of North America explores more than 500 of the most common and interesting spiders found in this region of the world. This richly illustrated guide begins with an overview of spiders―what they are exactly, how they can be found, how they develop, and why they are important.
As is often the case, I become aware of new books through random Amazon searches. I am always looking for new books on tarantulas and “Venomous Words” by Jeff Oliver and Gordon Reilly appeared in the offerings and the concept intrigued me, macro-photography combined with dark poetry. What a great combination and the book’s cover certainly sucked me in, despite the high price tag.
Continue reading BUGGY BOOK REVIEW: “Venomous Words” by Jeff Oliver and Gordon ReillyIt never ceases to amaze me the wonderful things you can find on Etsy. Being a tarantula enthusiast, it is one topic I find myself searching quite often. Recently I came across artist Laura Airey Le and her Etsy store GrayGhostCreations. The first thing that drew me to her store was her tarantula art prints; then I found her “The Old World Tarantula Coloring Book.”
I am noticing a pattern on Amazon. Tarantula books written by people who have little knowledge on tarantulas. I covered this type of thing before in 2018 with my review of the horrible book “Goliath Birdeater: Goliath Birdeaters As Pets” by Adam Burton. Now I have found another one. The title? “Pink Toe Tarantula: The Complete Guide On Everything You Need To Know About Pink Toe Tarantula” by Jackson James. The first indication of a problem is the title. First off, I think “everything you need to know” would take more than ten pages. Second, the last word should be plural. Third, just look at the cover.
It’s been awhile since a new book came out on tarantulas and “The Tarantula Gallery: Image Reference & Species Accounts” is one not to be missed! I had not seen anything on this book until I did a recent, random search on Amazon and it came up. When it comes to tarantula books I am a completist so ordered it right away.
When I became aware of this book, I became excited immediately. Birdwing butterflies have always been my favorite type of Lepidoptera, both for their amazing colors and their size. Though I am a fan of both D’Abrera’s book “Birdwing Butterflies of the World” and the series of books “A Monograph of the Birdwing Butterflies” by J. Haugum and A.M. Low, it seemed, sight-unseen, that this release would be the ultimate guide to these incredible insects.
Continue reading BUGGY BOOK REVIEW: “Outstanding Birdwing Butterflies” by Gilles Deslisle and Jean-Pierre Sclavo
For me, seeing butterflies in my yard, or out on a hike is a thrill, especially if there is a lot of them. Growing up, butterfly populations were much higher than they are today, which just adds to the thrill when you see something you haven’t seen in awhile. It’s nice to know that they’re still there.
I first became aware of the book “The Last Butterflies: A Scientist’s Quest to Save a Rare and Vanishing Creature” thanks to a piece on NPR. Being a lover of Lepidoptera, I thought this would be an interesting book as it dealt with declining numbers in the butterfly world, a subject that has been on my mind a lot. I wasn’t sure what to expect as some of these books can be over-scientific, making it difficult to read. I am happy to report that this book is written so that everyone can enjoy it.
Continue reading BUGGY BOOK REVIEW: “The Last Butterflies” by Nick Haddad
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