A fascinating journey into the secret life of insects, with QR codes linked to videos that bring every creature to life.

Just as birds have yearly rhythms, so do bees, beetles, butterflies and other insects. Wildlife experts Dominic Couzens and Gail Ashton discover 52 minibeasts from around the world.

They tell the story of what is happening week-by-week in the insect world, in our own backyards, window boxes and in hidden corners of our homes. From the daily grind of the house spider building a new web each morning, to the vast appetites of ladybirds, which can devour hundreds of aphids a day, and the glory of the Stag beetle's maiden flight. We delve into the world of the lethal Sydney funnelweb spider in Australian gardens, the migratory mission of the Monarch butterfly in America and the life of the backdoor scorpions in South Africa. In among the seasonal behaviour, the authors have woven history and folklore.

These brilliant stories are complemented by wonderful illustrations by Lesley Buckingham that bring out the beauty of the entomological world. A QR code for each entry takes you to a video file to further explore the habits of these intriguing creatures. Revealing the true wonder of our insect neighbours, this book will appeal to all nature lovers.



Dominic Couzens is a British author and journalist specialising in avian and natural history subjects. He contributes regularly to BBC Wildlife magazines; and is also a professional field trip guide. His critically acclaimed books include The Secret Lives of Garden Birds (Guardian wildlife book of the year), The Secret Lives of British Birds (The Times wildlife books of the year), and The Secret Lives of Garden Wildlife. He is also the author of A Bird a Day and A Year of Birdsong, both published by Batsford. He lives in Dorset.

Gail Ashton is a highly experienced wildlife photographer and writer with a passion for entomology. She believes it's the little things that makes the world go round. A few years ago she began a year-long project to photograph and document 500 UK invertebrates, which sent her down a path of discovery that has become a passion, and shows in this book. She is also the co-author of the book, An Identification Guide to Garden Insects of Britain and North-West Europe. She lives in Hertfordshire.



Introduction

Sydney Funnel-web Spider



Brimstone Butterfly



Humming Hoverfly



Mayfly



Buff-tailed Bumblebee



Springtail



Driver Ant



Cotton Harlequin Bug 



Ashy Mining Bee



Peacock Butterfly



Dark-edged Bee-fly



Luna Moth



Pond Skater/Water Strider 



Backswimmer 



Honey Bee



Milkweed Leaf Beetle 



Black Widow spider 



Seven Spot Ladybird



German Wasp 



Ruby Tailed Wasp



Violet Carpenter Bee 



Globe Skimmer 



Rose Chafer 



Soldier Beetle 



Garden Tiger 



Dog Day Cicada 



Black Ant 



Tiger Swallowtail 



Stag Beetle 



Aphids 



Common Froghopper 



Elephant Hawk Moth 



Marmalade Hoverfly 



True Katydid 



Fall Field Cricket 



Hummingbird Hawk Moth 



Ivy Bee  



Yellow Garden Spider 



Monarch Butterfly



Fire Ant



Foam Grasshopper 



Green Lacewing 



House Spider 



Cranefly 



Large Yellow Underwing



Garden Spider 



Peacock Jumping Spider 



Cape Mountain Rifles Bean Beetle 



Mantis 



Heliconid 



Greenbottle 



Earwig 



Woodlice 

Index

Acknowlegements



'Will bring alive an astonishing natural world, often hidden away, waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.'



'Nicely written and a very pleasurable read. It would make a lovely gift'