A Field Guide to Insects of South Africa

Given the extraordinary number and diversity of insect species and their vast importance to human life, it comes as a surprise that there is no reasonably comprehensive field guide on insects in South Africa. This is particularly so in view of the large number of field guides on the mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, fish, spiders and plants of southern Africa. Local insect guides that are available are either complex technical volumes or else identify insects only to major groupings or are very restricted in their coverage. The need for a more detailed and accessible field guide to the rich insect life of South Africa has long been recognized. The main reason why it has not been written appears to be the extreme difficulty of adequately covering such a large and diverse area. This comprehensive, illustrated popular guide draws not only on the accumulated knowledge of the authors, but also on that of numerous specialists on the various insect groups.
It will succeed, hopefully, in opening up the fascinating life of insects to a wide range of students, gardeners, farmers, conservationists and anyone wanting to find out more about these tiny creatures that intrigue and irritate, benefit and damage us in seemingly equal measure.