Beautifully illustrated and approachable, this is the only California-specific, statewide book devoted to all groups of insects.

Completely revised for the first time in over 40 years, Field Guide to California Insects now includes over 600 insect species, each beautifully illustrated with color photographs. Engaging accounts focus on distinguishing features, remarkable aspects of biology, and geographical distribution in the state. An accessible and compact introduction to identifying, understanding, and appreciating these often unfamiliar and fascinating creatures, this guide covers insects that readers are likely to encounter in homes and natural areas, cities and suburbs, rural lands and wilderness. It also addresses exotic and invasive species and their impact on native plants and animals. Field Guide to California Insects remains the definitive portable reference and a captivating read for beginners as well as avid naturalists.

About the Author

Kip Will is an entomologist, insect systematist, and former director of the Essig Museum of Entomology at the University of California, Berkeley.

Joyce Gross has been photographing California insects for 17 years and works as a computer programmer with the Berkeley Natural History Museums at the University of California, Berkeley.

Dan Rubinoff is Professor of Entomology and Director of the University of Hawaii Insect Museum. He grew up in California chasing insects and continues to work actively in the state.

Jerry A. Powell is Professor of the Graduate School and former director of the Essig Museum of Entomology at the University of California, Berkeley.

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Preface

INTRODUCTION
What Is an Insect?

Growth and Reproduction
Breathing and Circulation
Feeding
Stinging

Distribution and Diversity of the California Insect Fauna

Topography
Geographical Distribution
Diversity
Microhabitats

Making an Insect Collection
Classification

Names

Synopsis of Hexapods and the Orders of Insects

ACCOUNTS: SYSTEMATIC TREATMENT
Coneheads (Class Protura)
Two-pronged Bristletails (Class Diplura)
Springtails (Class Collembola)
Insects (Class Insecta)

Acknowledgments
Glossary
Bibliography
Online Resources
Photo Credits
Index
About the Authors

Reviews

"When it comes to natural history field guides for the United States at the state level, no series ever published can even approach the California Natural History Guides for either breadth or depth of coverage."
— Well-read Naturalist

"A fantastic book—well-researched, well-written, well-illustrated, and an opportunity for you to become not a Big Game Hunter, but a Little Game Hunter."
— Bug Squad

"Timing is everything, and with the reports of disastrous insect declines here and abroad, a book that introduces 'the little creatures that run the world' with clear prose and superb images is exactly what we need now to engage the public in insect conservation. Though it describes California species, the generality of this excellent field guide makes it relevant anywhere in North America."—Doug W. Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants

"This is a much-needed guide to the larger and better-known insects of California, and it provides a great introduction to the field of entomology for a general audience. The authors pack an amazing amount of natural history in this compact treatment."—Brian V. Brown, Curator, Department of Entomology, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

"This is the go-to reference for insect enthusiasts in California. A comprehensive and accessible guide, this book is the perfect thing to bring on hikes across the state!"—Brian L. Fisher, coauthor of Ants of North America: A Guide to the Genera

"A brilliant revision of a great classic. Through canny choices, splendid images, and clear, concise text, the authors have wrangled a near-infinitude of diversity into an approachable subject for anyone with an interest in our most numerous neighbors. The introduction alone is worth the price. Both user-friendly and bottomless in information, Field Guide to California Insects is an essential reference for all West Coast naturalists."—Robert Michael Pyle, coauthor of Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest

About the Book

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Table of Contents

Reviews