a life-size guide to six hundred species from around the world /
First Statement of Responsibility
edited by David G. James ; contributors, David Albaugh, Bob Cammarata, Ross Field, Harold Greeney, John Horstman, David James, Sally Morgan, Tony Pittaway, James A. Scott, Andrei Sourakov, Martin Townsend, Kirby Wolfe.
"This book was conceived and designed by Ivy Press, an imprint of the Quarto Group"--Title page verso.
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Simultaneously published: London, United Kingdom : Ivy Press.
INTERNAL BIBLIOGRAPHIES/INDEXES NOTE
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Includes bibliographical references (page 645) and indexes.
CONTENTS NOTE
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Introduction -- What is a caterpillar? -- From eggs to pupation -- The miracle of metamorphosis -- Voracious eaters -- Caterpillar defenses -- Caterpillars and people -- Research and conservation -- The caterpillars. Butterfly caterpillars -- Moth caterpillars -- Appendices. Glossary -- Resources -- Classification of the Lepidoptera -- Index by common name -- Index by scientific name -- Notes on contributors -- Acknowledgments.
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SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
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"The weird and wonderful world of insects boasts some of the strangest creatures found in nature, and caterpillars are perhaps the most bizarre of all. While most of us picture caterpillars as cute fuzzballs munching on leaves, there is much more to them than we imagine. A caterpillar's survival hinges on finding enough food and defending itself from the array of natural enemies lined up to pounce and consume. And the astounding adaptations and strategies they have developed to maximize their chances of becoming a butterfly or moth are only just beginning to be understood, from the Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar that resembles a small snake to the Eastern Carpenter Bee Hawkmoth caterpillar that attempts to dissuade potential predators by looking like a diseased leaf. The Book of Caterpillars unveils the mysteries of six hundred species from around the world, introducing readers to the complexity and beauty of these underappreciated insects. With the advent of high-quality digital macrophotography, the world of caterpillars is finally opening up. The book presents a wealth of stunning imagery that showcases the astonishing diversity of caterpillar design, structure, coloration, and patterning. Each entry also features a two-tone engraving of the adult specimen, emphasizing the wing patterns and shades, as well as a population distribution map and table of essential information that includes their habitat, typical host plants, and conservation status."--Publisher's description.