Insect Wars

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5The focus here is on beneficial insectsnatural enemies of such crop-damaging pests as aphids, mites, caterpillars, beetles, etc. The text discusses the two categories of beneficials (predators and parasites) and describes some physical characteristics, feeding techniques, and prey of about a dozen representatives. Included are the ladybug, green lacewing, ichneumon wasp, tachinid fly, etc. The text also gives a brief historical survey of the agricultural industry's use of biological controls; outlines the operation of an insectary (a commercial supplier of beneficial insects); and offers some tips on observing insect behavior. Clear, color photographs accompany the text on about every other page; most are close-ups of the arthropods discussed. While most of the text in this well-organized introduction is clearly written, there are a couple of exceptions. For instance, although most of the scientific terms are defined in the text, the term "larva," or "larvae," is only defined in the glossary. Readers unfamiliar with the process of metamorphosis are likely to be confused. The text states, "Although they are lovely, butterflies and moths hatch from larvae." This is inaccurate. Caterpillars (larva) hatch from eggs and must undergo another stage of development, the pupal stage before emerging as adults. These errors, however, are minor flaws in an otherwise clear and straightforward text that will help fill a gap in the area of biological pest controls.Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library