This practical, non-technical introduction to insect classification offers a well-illustrated, straight-forward primer in entomology. Whether you are part of a master naturalist program, are interested in environmentally friendly pest management, or simply enjoy knowing what to call that strange-looking bug on your back porch, "Insects of Texas" will be your first resource for insect classification and identification. This book will help you sort out many of the millions of insect species by learning the readily distinguishable field characteristics needed to identify groups most commonly seen in Texas. David H. Kattes provides short tutorials on morphology and metamorphosis and uses a simple color-coding scheme to present the five classes of arthropods and the orders, suborders, and families of insects most relevant to Texas observers. Photo keys, pronunciation guides, illustrated tables, abundant photographs, and highlighted accounts of physical and biological characteristics help introduce readers to the various tiny creatures that inhabit our world, steering them through arachnids, crustaceans, millipedes, centipedes, and hexapods. Within each account, Kattes comments on habits and other interesting information, reflecting his long experience in teaching and speaking to a variety of receptive audiences.

Contains alphabetically arranged entries that provide photographs and information about insects, mites, and spiders commonly found in Texas, discussing the appearance, biology and life cycle, habitat, feeding habits, economic importance, and natural and organic control of each bug.

In this vividly illustrated field guide, two leading entomologists use their combined fifty-six years of fieldwork to present the most comprehensive and authoritative guide to Texas's insects.

Includes pictures and activities about the insects of Texas.

Meet the wild world of common Texas insects with this colorful and thorough introduction. Now you can identify that critter that just crawled under your bed or landed in your backyard. This extensive guide is packed with 384 color photos, thousands of facts and figures, and dozens of illustrations.

A collection of Courtney's columns from the Texas Monthly, curing the curious, exorcizing bedevilment, and orienting the disoriented, advising "on such things as: Is it wrong to wear your football team's jersey to church? When out at a dancehall, do you need to stick with the one that brung ya? Is it real Tex-Mex if it's served with a side of black beans? Can one have too many Texas-themed tattoos?"--Amazon.com.