For Love of Insects

Thomas Eisner
Belknap Press of Harvard University Press
Cambridge, MA
2003; 448 pages.
Price: $19.95 (paper)
ISBN: 0-674-01827-3

For Love of Insects, by Thomas Eisner, is an engaging personal narrative that unravels the intricacies of arthropod chemical ecology. This book will appeal to anyone with an interest in nature; it makes scientific exploration and research accessible to a general audience. Eisner, a self-described field biologist, hopes to include readers in the scientific process, inspire insect aficionados, and improve negative attitudes toward these amazingly complex organisms.

The book begins with a foreward by Edward O. Wilson, followed by a prologue by Eisner, 10 chapters, and an epilogue. Each chapter explores the relationship between arthropods and chemicals in the context of a central theme, along with an array of supplementary information ranging from cultural entomology to historical side notes.

The first chapter, “Bombardier,” focuses on the defensive benzoquinone sprays of Diploptera cockroaches and bombardier beetles, and introduces the reader to Eisner’s inventiveness and gadgetry. “Vinegaroons and Other Wizards,” the next section, deals with alternative types of protective sprays and secretions, and demonstrates that For Love of Insects is a misnomer: this book also features several other arthropod groups, including whipscorpions, millipedes, and spiders. “Wonders from Wonderland” features a diverse assemblage of research anecdotes united by their connection to the Archbold Biological Station in Florida, including fascinating accounts of warning coloration and the protective use of feces. Chemical involvement in mimicry and crypsis is the focus of the fourth chapter, “Masters of Deception,” and “Ambulatory Spray Guns” examines the efficiency and precision of arthropod chemical defense. “Tales from the Website” describes how insects trapped in spider webs avoid being eaten and the converse quandary of how spiders consume chemically protected prey. The following chapter, “The Circumventers,” expands on the topic of how predators thwart arthropod defenses, and how some herbivores avoid noxious plant secretions. “The Opportunists,” the eighth chapter, deals with how arthropods exploit defense mechanisms, including grasshoppers that regurgitate noxious plant material and Laetilia larvae that vomit toxic carminic acid acquired from consuming cochineal insects. “The Love Potion” discusses the use of cantharidin as a feeding deterrent, in courtship, and as a protective compound. The final chapter, “The Sweet Smell of Success,” covers variation in the palatability of Utetheisa moths and its subsequent role in mate choice.

Throughout the book, certain adaptations or themes, such as the ability of arthropods to direct chemical sprays, mimicry, and warning coloration, reappear in different chapters. While the nature of the topic makes a succinct layout challenging, I believe the book would have benefited from some additional organizing.

Although For Love of Insects emphasizes chemical ecology, Eisner does not neglect the role of arthropod morphology and physiology. The book contains substantial discourse about gland formation, structures that release or aid in chemical dispersion, and specialized body modifications. The book repeatedly links the concepts of form and function. Another focal point is animal behavior, including its interaction with chemical defenses, predator escape behavior, and acquisition of protective substances.

One of the book’s strongest attributes is how Eisner integrates the focal subjects into a broader context and considers ecological interactions and evolutionary perspectives. Although the details of specific characteristics are fascinating, it is equally interesting to learn about how other organisms respond to those adaptations. In the epilogue, Eisner discusses several points he considers when dealing with new discoveries, including a feature’s function, its adaptive benefit or significance, how the feature differs in other organisms, its embryological origin, and possible evolutionary pathways.

Another outstanding feature of this book is the use of colorful, descriptive illustrations and photos. The dramatic visuals strengthen the narrative, and many could stand alone as useful representations of the text. The quality of the older pictures is impressive, given the technology at the time, and the scanning electron microscopy images are stunning. In the prologue, Eisner expresses his desire to chronicle his research using photographs, and he has succeeded admirably in this goal.

While Eisner elegantly reveals the complexities of arthropod biology, he also alludes to the collaborative nature of scientific discovery, and emphasizes the key role and contributions of students and professionals in these discoveries. He presents an amazing amount of material that may inspire professionals in their own research programs, and although this book is not written for a scientific audience, Eisner does provide references in the bibliography. For Love of Insects contains a wealth of information on unique arthropod attributes, which is likely to be more useful for teachers than extension agents. With regard to a general audience, some of the technical terminology may be confusing, although in general, the language is easily understood. 

Throughout the book, Eisner’s passion for discovery and science is almost palpable. His writing style is absorbing and entertaining, and the unfathomable complexities of arthropod biology Eisner reveals in For Love of Insects will delight both professional entomologists and the public.

Deirdre A. Prischmann
USDA–ARS NPA NCARL
2923 Medary Ave.
Brookings, SD 57006
E-mail: dprischmann@ngirl.ars.usda.gov
American Entomology
Vol. 53, No. 2, Summer 2007