Wicked Bugs by Amy Stewart

Wicked Bugs

by Amy Stewart

In this darkly comical look at the sinister side of our relationship with the natural world, Stewart has tracked down over one hundred of our worst entomological foes-creatures that infest, infect, and generally wreak havoc on human affairs. From the world's most painful hornet, to the flies that transmit deadly diseases, to millipedes that stop traffic, to the bookwormsA" that devour libraries, to the Japanese beetles munching on your roses, Wicked Bugs delves into the extraordinary powers of six- and eight-legged creatures. Intricate and strangely beautiful etchings and drawings by Briony Morrow-Cribbs capture diabolical bugs of all shapes and sizes in this mixture of history, science, murder, and intrigue that begins-but doesn't end-in your own backyard.

Reviewed by MurderByDeath on

4 of 5 stars

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Things that make you go 'ewww'.

Excellent read but not for the easily squeamish. Amy Stewart vividly describes what many of the world's pests do, making my DH insist that I stop reading sections out loud to him as they were really too disgusting. But if you like nature, or any interest in entomology, this book is a fascinating, entertaining read.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 25 May, 2013: Finished reading
  • 25 May, 2013: Reviewed