Tuesday, October 01, 2024

Book Review - The Cicadas of North America - Owlfly Publishing


     It is a distinct pleasure for me to review this book, a magnum opus  by any standard, with a firm emphasis on magnum.
     This is the second work by Chris Alice Kratzer, following on the heels of her magnificent The Social Wasps of North America. The level of commitment, the unwavering excellence, the artistic superiority, the dedication to detail and her encyclopedic knowledge combine to make this a book to be reckoned with. The mere concept of a monograph on cicadas is a giant leap of faith, and it will become a cherished addition to the library of every naturalist worth her hand lens or binoculars. 
      Interest in cicadas, it seems to me, has experienced a bit of a revival in recent times. I recall seeing a television documentary narrated by that scion of nature, Sir David Attenborough, and that's an endorsement that's hard to beat. Even he would benefit from this book!
     The opening sections of the book provide a complete introduction to cicadas - and I mean complete!


     When you have finished reading pages 5 through 65 you will really understand these intriguing insects, and I suspect many of you will come to love them. Most people are familiar with the legendary eruptions of cicadas after thirteen or seventeen years, but this behaviour is the spectacular exception; most species live a more conventional existence and are fully grown within one to five years, depending on the species.


      When cicadas do emerge in overwhelming numbers they provide food for a host of other species, from wasps, to spiders, to birds and small mammals - even bears are known to gorge on cicadas which are rich in fat and protein.


     In many parts of the world insects are routinely consumed by humans. In North America we have a deep-seated, illogical aversion to "bugs" and we eschew high quality food. As a burgeoning human population continues to pillage more and more of the Earth's resources we may have no choice but to reevaluate this attitude. The lowly cicada may become protein du jour.
     It might come as a surprise to many of you, even to some committed naturalists, that there are 374 species of cicada in North America (for the purpose of this book Central America is included), in 53 genera. All are covered here, including regional colour forms.


     Range maps are included for each species, but it should be noted that the distribution of some species may be expanding or shifting, due to climatic variations brought on by a warming planet.
     Where known, the following useful information is provided: Field ID rating, Abundance, Field Identification, Size, Habitat, Host Plants, Flight Season, Song, and Scientific Name. The artwork is staggering, a shining example of how to do it right!


     How one person - and Kratzer is only twenty-eight years old - can produce an entire book of this quality, writing every word and furnishing exquisite artwork, is beyond my level of understanding. It certainly exceeds the capacity of most of us. The front cover alone is worth the price of the book!
     Kratzer says, "[Cicadas]....are round creatures with big eyes, and no capacity for violence. They eke out a peaceful existence by just doing their best, and I love them for it."
     If only we could speak so well of humans.


The Cicadas of North America - Owlfly Publishing
Chris Alice Kratzer
579 pages - 400 full colour illustrations 
US$27.99 - ISBN: 978-1-7378927-3-1
6 x 9 inches (15 x 22.5 cm)
Publishing date: 01 September, 2024

    

David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

49 comments:

  1. One young woman's work - in its entirety? Wow. Definitely a woman to watch and to anticipate further work from her too.

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  2. ...when I was in the nursery business I witnessed cicadas damage in North Carolina. Summer looked like winter!

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  3. The book sounds and looks very nice! Great review! We had seen and heard the cicadas here, they are a little creepy looking too. Take care, have a great day!

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  4. Hi David, interesting book. I never heard of the insects cicadas. Have a nice afternoon. Greets Caroline

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    1. There are cicadas in Europe too, Caroline, not as many species as in North America, but they are present there. I hope you will go out and find some at the appropraite time of the year.

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  5. People who loves bugs would find this one really interesting.

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  6. Another book with excellent graphics.

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  7. Yes, you are right, the cover is a work of art.
    Your photos of the book with the autumn leaves are great.
    You must have a good library, David.

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    1. I do indeed, Fernando, and I cherish every book.

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  8. The "song" of the cicadas is the background noise of my summer and I quite enjoy it. In my infrequent personal contact with the insects, I am always struck by those eyes, their most outstanding feature. I do love that Kratzer quote that you reference at the end of your post. Indeed it is a goal that humans should aspire to.

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  9. Amazing creatures. This book looks really good and liking the illustrations too. I also love the background to your photos! Super leaves! Happy October David :-D

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  10. You share the most amazing books David, thank you!

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  11. Chris Alice Kratzer has delivered an exceptional piece of work with her latest book, focusing on the fascinating world of cicadas. Your review highlights the depth of her expertise and dedication, and it seems like this book is both an invaluable resource for naturalists and an artistic achievement. The combination of scientific detail and accessible writing, especially following her success with The Social Wasps of North America, makes this a must-read for anyone interested in entomology.

    Read my new blog post on www.melodyjacob.com. Thank you!

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  12. Sounds like an interesting book, thanks for the review.

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    1. I would say a tad more than "interesting," Bill.

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  13. Goodness, I had no idea there are 374 species of cicadas in North America. What a great work for such a young woman! Love her quote about the cicada.

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  14. Que tal, dear David!
    aww cicadas are amazing. I love the sound of cicadas, they taste like summer to me; that unmistakable sound has something hypnotic about it. It's strange, they also make me feel a bit nostalgic, i don't know why...

    Sending you big hug

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  15. Nice review and rather an interesting creature.

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  16. Hello David, A most interesting book as you review it. The details are amazing.
    Regards,
    Roos

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  17. Hello David,
    This seems to me an interesting book.
    I have never heard of the insect cicadas.
    Greetings Irma

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  18. Oh yes, humans could learn a lot from other beings! I'm back, and hope this time to stay here and get a couple of posts done each week. I missed you! Hugs xxxxxxxxx

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  19. Love earing them "singing" in Summer...We just ear them...they are to shy to be seen...
    Have a nice day !
    Anna

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    1. If you go out and look for them, Anna, they are not difficult to find, but just listening to them is very pleasant too.

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    2. What a marvellous book. I wish our local library would buy more books about the various creatures occurring in nature rather than novels. I'd love to read this book.

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  20. Hi David - thanks for your comment and welcome back ... great to read. Cicadas ... I definitely should find out more about them ... but suspect I'll make do with the brief brief you've given us here.

    To somewhat change the subject ... A Welsh woman - a photographer - inadvertently brought back Two Clearwing Moths which appear to have hitched a ride when they were larvae, travelling 4,500 miles from a tropical jungle in Guyana, South America, before ending up in Port Talbot. It popped up on the Beeb today ... one died, but one hatched and was eventually identified ... it's apparently unknown too ...he species has been named Carmenta brachyclados. Thought you'd be interested ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Thanks for this, Hilary. It illustrates how invasive species are introduced in so easy a manner. I have wondered how many times I might have travelled from one country to another with seeds on my boots.

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  21. Lubię jak w książce przy dobrej rycinie lub zdjęciu jest mapa występowania. Bardzo lubię to np przy przewodnikach o ptakach.

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  22. Ese libro tiene una buena información, de esos interesantes insectos. De ahí tu buen conocimiento que tienes sobre ellos.
    Un abrazo.

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  23. " protein du jour."... I think not! I just became a vegetarian.... They can totally decimate a forested hillside in short order.... They have a rather pleasing sound but its volume can get rather loud. It looks well illustrated, David.

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  24. I had no idea they lived that long.

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  25. It sounds there are detailed information in that book. it also contains many illustrations. Thanks for your review.

    Post script: you wrote an interesting point on my blog about abandoned villages.

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  26. Very interesting! I know practically nothing about these insects. Cicadetta montana is the only cicada species native to Finland and it's very rare.
    Wishing you a happy end of the week and beginning of autumn, with its visual and culinary pleasures.

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  27. Many thanks for highlighting this book.

    All the best Jan

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  28. I have to admit that I often confuse cicadas and crickets. If it is true that cicadas "sing" during the day and crickets chirp at night, then we have crickets here. I once heard cicadas in Oklahoma and it was stunning. Sometimes I hear a different, very distinctive sound in our garden during the day, maybe that was a cicada; and I did see some cicadas after their final molt here on our wooden fence. Definitely the dominant sound of summer for me.

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  29. Interesante libro, lo presentas muy bien. Con él sabemos algo más de ellos.
    También siento aversión a estos bichejos David, no creo que pudiera comerlos.
    Buen fin de semana.
    Un abrazo.

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  30. Your review captures the depth and brilliance of this work perfectly. It’s clear that Chris Alice Kratzer has created something truly remarkable for naturalists and enthusiasts alike, and your praise only reinforces its significance.

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  31. And speaking of consumed by humans:) I don't know if they still do, but bugs used to be served up to eat at the Bug Bowl at Purdue University.

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  32. And, once again, a very interesting post. Thanks for sharing.

    Take good care... :)

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  33. Kiitos kirja-arvostelusta. Vaikuttaa mielenkiintoiselta :)

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  34. Thank you for David, for sharing this book and your review. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, I appreciate your link and comment on my blog.

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  35. Otro libro interesante. Un abrazo.

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  36. What a great review- Thanks. I have always been fascinated by cicadas and the extreme noise level they produce in our yard!! I probably would enjoy the book.

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  37. wow, sounds so good! In Chicagoland, I had plenty of opportunities to observe 3 of them this past spring/summer

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