Book Review - Insectpedia - Princeton University Press

      I have been very much enamoured of the "Pedia" series from Princeton University Press and this latest edition sails along in the tradition of its forerunners, presenting facts in brief (yet complete) form, while engaging in a little whimsy at the same time. It takes a deft touch to straddle the unlikely partners of science and humour but Eric Eaton has proven himself to be a master of the task.

     Each of the "Pedia" books are like an extended dictionary, and go from A to Z in traditional fashion, in this case beginning with "Acarinaria" and ending with "Zoos, Insect." Along the way there is much to learn and entertaining commentary to be enjoyed.

    I was particularly struck that Eaton weaves social commentary into discussions of science. Let me give you an example from page 74 on Gynandromorphs, "In an era when we are finally recognizing and respecting human beings who identify as nonbinary, it helps to remember that in nature, male and female exist in a variety of ways and not always separately." Amen to that!

     It is well known to all that fruit flies in the genus Drosophila have been the lab choice for countless research projects because we Homo sapiens share 60% of our DNA with Drosophila melanogaster, and 75% of the genes known to cause human diseases can be found in fruit flies. There are doubtless reactionary politicians or religious fundamentalists who would reject this science, but that makes it no less true.

     Eaton pays fitting tribute to Margaret James Strickland Collins who became the first black female entomologist and was a full professor at Howard University, a remarkable achievement when it was difficult for any woman to be acknowledged as a scientist, let alone a woman of colour facing the double tyranny of a general rejection of women of intellect and toxic racism.

     The issue of pesticides has long been controversial, and continues to be so, as humans employ short-sighted, short-term solutions to complex issues. Insects develop resistance to toxins necessitating the application of ever more potent poisons, to which the targeted insects acquire further immunity. This is termed the "Pesticide Treadmill," as coined by Robert van den Bosch in his book The Pesticide Conspiracy. Despite mountains of evidence that indiscriminate use (abuse) of pesticides is counter-productive, we seem to be incapable of dismounting from this treadmill.

     As in all things, human influence looms large. Eaton's final paragraph in the Afterword leaves an impression with me, and no doubt will with you.

"Meanwhile transition from a pest -killing mentality to an interest in the conservation of insect diversity must overcome the inertia of profit-making enterprise, and accommodate endeavours that are necessary for the survival of the entire ecosystem. The private homeowner, plant nursery manager, landscape company, city planner, rural farmer and others, can all have a hand in promoting a new paradigm of coexistence with our six-legged friends. It can happen. It has to."

     The book is illustrated throughout by Amy Jean Porter, whose line drawings add immeasurably to the delight of this little volume. 

     As stated above I am a great fan of this series; each one reinforces the pleasure, perhaps none more than this one. I recommend it highly.

Insectpedia, A Brief Compendium of Insect Lore

Eric R. Eaton

Hardcover - US$16.95 - ISBN 9780691213046

200 pages - 51 black-and-white illustrations - 4.5 x 6.75 inches (11.25 x 16.875 cm)

Publication date: 3 May, 2022