Aptera; Orthoptera; Neuroptera; Hymenoptera; Coleoptera; Lepidoptera; Thysanoptera; Diptera; Rhynchotta.

This book highlights the very successful and much diversified group of organisms, the insects, and deals with some interesting aspects of insect life, which are often ignored in entomology textbooks. There are chapters on ants making "slaves;" insect migrations; chemical defence strategies; parental care and love; AIDS and insects; killer bees; and intelligence. The book also includes first-hand experiences of the great traveller-naturalist Prof. P. Jolivet, who narrates the re-emergence of the 17-year-cycle cicada in the USA in May 2004; the occurrence of insects on the great tepuys of Venezuela; marching of army ants in the tropical Africa; and much more. Pierre Jolivet, D. Sc., has written many research papers and books on the beetle family Chrysomelidae. His areas of special interest include the biology of Timarcha, food plants of chrysomelids, and ants-plants relationship. He has co-edited four important books on Chrysomelidae: Biology of Chrysomelidae (1988), Novel Aspects of the Biology of Chrysomelidae (1994), Chrysomelidae Biology, in three volumes (1996), and New Developments in the Biology of Chrysomelidae (2004). In recognition of Dr Jolivet's valuable contribution in the subject, the Fifth International Symposium on Chrysomelidae, held in Aug. 2000 in Brazil, was named after him. K.K. Verma, M. Sc., Ph. D., taught zoology and entomology for over 35 years, both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in M.P. Government Colleges, India. He has also specialized in the functional morphology and physiology of Chrysomelidae. He has to his credit a number of outstanding papers published in both Indian and international journals. In 2002, he co-authored a book, Biology of Leaf Beetles, summarizing the current knowledge about leaf beetles. This appropriately illustrated, eclectic volume of short essays, written with enthusiasm, grace and wit by two knowledgeable, broadly experienced insect scientists, will assist the entomologically uninitiated to appreciate the wonders and complexity of the small creatures whose environment humans inhabit, and will expand the horizons of the initiated with refreshing and useful insights into a wide variety of entomological topics. George E. Ball, entomologist, professor emeritus, University of Alberta, Canada This book is written with panache, highlighting the extraordinary adaptations shown by insects. People will eventually awaken to the amazing insect biodiversity that surrounds us. With this book, we are encouraged to follow a fascinating journey of discovery into the world of insects. Christian Mille, entomologist, Institut Agronomique neo-Caledonien, La Foa, Nouvelle-Caledonie This original and unusual book on truly fascinating creatures, not casually dedicated to Jean-Henry Fabre, is not a handbook for identification of insects, or an "official" text of entomology. It is a travel guide -- reflecting the journeys and experiences of the authors throughout the world -- into different aspects of the life of the most diverse extant group of organisms ... I would recommend this book both to students and nature lovers who would find in it much to learn about insects, as well as to professionals. Achille Casale, professor of zoology and entomology, University of Sassari, Italy Fascinating as Fabre's Souvenirs Entomologiques, but here, they are real life-experiences under the tropics, incredible but true, related with talent. Yves Delange, professor of botany, National Museum of Natural History, Paris, France

Sharmila Rudrappa interrogates the creation and maintenance of reproductive labor markets, the function of agencies and surrogacy brokers, and how women become surrogate mothers. Is surrogacy solely a labor contract for which the surrogate mother receives wages, or do its meanings and import exceed the confines of the market? Rudrappa argues that this reproductive industry is organized to control and disempower women workers and yet her interviews reveal that, by and large, the surrogate mothers in Bangalore found the experience life affirming. Rudrappa explores this tension, and the lived realities of many surrogate mothers whose deepening bodily commodification is paradoxically experienced as a revitalizing life development.

The Book of Indian Butterflies describes 734 species of butterflies that commonly occur in the Indian subcontinent. Most descriptions are illustrated with color images of specimens from the Bombay Natural History Society's collection as well as with color photographs of butterflies from across the country in their natural habitats. The book also includes color photographs showing the life history of different butterfly groups and their adaptation techniques. Besides highlighting the rich biodiversity of India's butterfly fauna, this book is a highly enjoyable guide for nature lovers. Isaac Kehimkar discusses the biology and identification of butterflies, as well as butterfly watching, photography, and rearing. Written by an expert in the field, The Book of Indian Butterflies is a comprehensive and updated guide to India's butterflies.

This book is a compilation of writings focused on conventional and unconventional insect products. Some of these products are commercials successes, while others are waiting to be launched and are the potential produce of the future. In addition to the well known products honey, mulberry silk, and lac, the book primarily concentrates on silk producing insects other than the mulberry silkworm, insects as food, as sources of medicines, pest and weed managers, and as pollinators. The book highlights the all pervasive role of insects in improving human lives at multiple levels. Accordingly, while most books on insects concentrate on how to limit growth in their population, it instead focuses on how to propagate them. In each chapter, the book brings to the fore how insects are far more beneficial to us than their well publicised harmful roles. This book approaches both unconventional and conventional insect products, such as honey, silk and lac in much more depth than the available literature. It investigates different aspects of the production of these insects, such as the related processes, problems and utilities, in dedicated chapters. Because this book deals with the production of insects or their produce, it has been named Industrial Entomology, perhaps the only book that truly reveals the tremendous potential of insects to help humans live better lives. Based on the research and working experience of the contributors, who are global experts in their respective fields, it provides authentic, authoritative and updated information on these topics. The book offers a unique guide for students, teachers, policy planners, small scale industrialists, and government ministries of agriculture and industry across the globe. It will provide a much required stimulus to insect appreciation and generate enthusiasm for research and the broader acceptance for insect produce. Hopefully, it will also present the Indian perspective on these topics to a global readership.