Assassin Bugs, Waterscorpions and other Hemiptera: Reproductive Biology and Laboratory Culture Methods

Description:

These unique creatures are members of a stunning and diverse group of insects known as true bugs. Giant water bugs can be as large as a man's hand, big enough to readily dispatch fish, snakes, and small turtles in the wild. Large assassin bugs kill and eat massive armored beetles that the world's largest scorpion, tarantula, or centipede would run from. Beautiful metallic shield bugs band together to take down prey a thousand times their mass without the use of venom or jaws. Others species hunt on the open ocean or feed on plants, reserving their spines and vicious attacks for battle over mates. This book fills a gap in the literature and is the first attempt to provide a large format presentation on the biology of true bugs, represented in direct observations and repeatable husbandry guidelines for the largest and most formidable species. A full-colour, pictorial essay accompanies this detailed text, highlighting the variety and design of this breathtaking group of insects.