A Natural History of Ladybird Beetles

A comprehensive, full-colour work providing insights into recent advances in the ecological understanding of ladybirds.

M. E. N. Majerus (Author), H. E. Roy (Edited by), P. M. J. Brown (Edited by)

9781107116078, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 24 November 2016

403 pages, 192 colour illus. 8 tables
25.3 x 17.7 x 2.5 cm, 1.17 kg

'… an excellent foundation to anyone seeking to learn more about ladybirds, either as professional biologists or interested amateurs.' The Quarterly Review of Biology

The Coccinellidae are a family of beetles, known variously as ladybirds or ladybugs. In Britain alone, some 46 species belong to the Coccinellidae family, although only 26 of these are recognisably ladybirds. Composed largely of Professor Michael Majerus' lifetime work, and updated by two leading experts in the field, this book reveals intriguing insights into ladybird biology from a global perspective. The popularity of this insect group has been captured through societal and cultural considerations, coupled with detailed descriptions of complex scientific processes, to provide a comprehensive and accessible overview of these charismatic insects. Bringing together many studies on ladybirds, this book has been organised into themes, ranging from anatomy and physiology to ecology and evolution. This book is suitable for interested amateur enthusiasts, and researchers involved with ladybirds, entomology and biological control.

1. Ladybird, ladybird…
2. The structure of ladybirds
3. Where ladybirds live
4. What ladybirds eat
5. Sex and reproduction
6. Ladybird dormancy
7. Ladybird death
8. Ladybird colouration
9. Variation and evolution in ladybirds
10. Ladybirds and people
Index.

Subject Areas: Conservation of wildlife & habitats [RNKH], Conservation of the environment [RNK], Applied ecology [RNC], The environment [RN], Insects [entomology PSVT7], Zoology: Invertebrates [PSVT], Animal ecology [PSVS], Zoology & animal sciences [PSV], Biology, life sciences [PS], Mathematics & science [P]