Review of Texas Bug Book: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly by C. Malcolm Beck and John Howard Garrett

Authors

W. Eugene Hall, University of Colorado at Boulder

Date of this Version

Spring 2001

Document Type

Article

Comments

Published in Great Plains Research 11:1 (Spring 2001). Copyright © 2001 Center for Great Plains Studies.

Abstract

Seeing the title of this book prior to reading it, I was a bit concerned about its content and possible negative outlook towards insects. Having worked as an entomologist the past sixteen years and possessing a lifelong appreciation for insects and other arthropods, I tend to think of all insects as "good," very few if any of them "bad," and none of them "ugly." Like it or not, every species of insect serves a positive or beneficial purpose in the great scheme of things within the natural world. Insects ruled this planet long before humankind became established, continue to dominate the world today, and will undoubtedly be here long after we are gone.