Plentiful and familiar, ants make up an estimated one-third of the world’s insect biomass and can be found in virtually every part of the globe, from rain forest canopies to city sidewalks. But their importance is about more than numbers: ants are fundamental species in a range of habitats and their interactions with plants, fungi, and other animals ensure the survival of many fragile and complex ecosystems. This beautifully illustrated book explores the extraordinary diversity of ants and offers insights into their elaborate social systems, investigating the key collective and competitive behaviors that operate within their varied colony structures.
Featuring exceptional close-up photographs and clearly organized thematic chapters, the book covers anatomy, evolution, life cycle, ecology, and other important topics. Each chapter also features profiles of standout genera, chosen for their fascinating characteristics, including Leafcutter Ants, who build nests containing up to 7,000 chambers; Pugnacious Ants whose colonies can destroy populations of crabs within hours; and Honeypot Ants whose worker caste store food in their stomachs for other colony members to consume. Drawing on current research, Ants offers an inviting and accessible introduction to these remarkable insects.
- Includes more than 200 stunning color photographs, plus infographics and diagrams
- Presents full profiles of 42 iconic genera from across the world
- Features clearly structured thematic chapters
Heather Campbell holds a PhD in ecological entomology from the University of Reading and is a lecturer in entomology at Harper Adams University in Shropshire, UK. She is associate editor for the Journal of Ecology and has written for many leading scientific journals, including the American Naturalist and Myrmecological News. She is a National Geographic Explorer with research expertise in insect ecology, and she specializes in African ant diversity. Benjamin Blanchard holds a PhD in evolutionary biology from the University of Chicago and is a postdoctoral researcher at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Yunnan, China. His writing has appeared in magazines and peer-reviewed scientific journals, and he is editor in chief of the science blog The Daily Ant. His research expertise is in ant evolution with an emphasis on trait-based diversification.
"If ants are your interest, look no further than this title . . . . This beautifully illustrated 224-page book, which includes over 200 colour photographs and infographics, explores the extraordinary diversity of ants and offers insights into their elaborate social systems."—Pest Magazine
"I am an ant biologist, and I am often contacted by people with a newfound interest in ants, asking about a good introductory book. . . . I have never had a good answer until now. This is the volume I would recommend."—John T. Longino, The Quarterly Review of Biology
"A very attractive and easy-to-read book that can be picked up and read in short bursts, revealing the astonishing diversity of Formicidae family."—Stephen Fleming, BeeCraft
"This is a book that will satisfy you page after page and you will absorb a great storehouse of knowledge, almost effortlessly."—David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds
""An excellent comprehensive introduction to the fascinating world of ants and beautifully illustrated.""—Roy Stewart, British Naturalists Association
"This book offers access to the sometimes hidden world of the ubiquitous ant."—G.C. Stevens, Choice
