African Insect Life introduces the reader to the more than 100,000 insect species found in Africa - from the cool heath lands of the Cape to West Africa's dense forests. In this edition, Dr John Ledger has fully revised Dr S.H. Skaife's original text to incorporate the findings of modern research. Two new chapters contribute background information on the arthropod relatives of African insects and introduce the reader to the fascinating hobbies of insect collecting, study and photography.

This is the first comprehensive field guide to the insect fauna of South Africa, with detailed descriptions of over 1 200 of the most common, most economically and ecologically important, and most interesting and attractive insects in the region. The easy-to-read text is matched with superb photography. Each account covers identification, biology, distribution and related species, and is accompanied by a colour photograph of the species or family.

Pollinators, parasites, purifiers, predators, decomposers – insects arguably play the most important roles in the functioning of the Earth’s ecosystems. This lavishly illustrated and highly authoritative book is structured around southern Africa’s 13 distinct biomes; it reflects the essential role insects play in most ecological processes such as pollination, predation, parasitism, soil modification and nutrient recycling; details how they serve as food for multitudes of other organisms, including bacteria and fungi, as well as specially adapted plants, insect-feeding arthropods, reptiles, birds and mammals; depicts the insects and phenomena described in some 2,000 photographs that accompany the accessible text; highlights the crucial role insects play as ecosystem service providers, giving intimate insight into the beauty and importance of insects in the natural world. Includes a guide to each of the 25 insect orders found in southern Africa, with images showing their diagnostic characters. This key publication detailing the latest research in the field of entomology will appeal to academics and nature enthusiasts alike.

The harvesting, processing and consumption of edible insects is one of the main keys to the sustainability of food chains on the African continent. Insects are the largest and most successful group of animals on the planet and it is estimated that they comprise 80% of all animals. This makes edible insects extremely important to the future survival of large populations across Africa and the world. Insects offer a complete animal protein that includes all 9 essential amino acids and are very competitive with other protein sources. They are also a good source of beneficial unsaturated fats, and many insects have a perfect Omega 3:6 balance. African Edible Insects As Alternative Source of Food, Oil, Protein and Bioactive Components comprehensively outlines the importance of edible insects as food and animal feed and the processing of insects in Africa. The text also highlights indigenous knowledge of edible insects and shows the composition and nutritional value of these insects, plus presents reviews of current research and developments in this rapidly expanding field. All of the main types of edible insects are covered, including their nutritional value, chemical makeup, and harvesting and processing details. The various preparation technologies are covered for each insect, as are their individual sensory qualities and safety aspects. A key aspect of this work is its focus on the role of insects in edible oils and gelatins. Individual chapters focus on entomophagy in Africa and the various key aspects of the continent's growing edible insect consumption market. As it becomes increasingly clear that the consumption of insects will play a major role in the sustainability of food chains in Africa, this work can be used as a comprehensive and up-to-date singular source for researchers looking for a complete overview on this crucial topic.

Devoted to the economy and life-habits of insects, especially in their relations to agriculture.