Introduction
What a windy week! The tall garden plants have been completely flattened and the lawn is covered in small branches and leaves ripped off the trees when storm Floris raged through our garden the other day at 87 km/hour. The hives were all strapped down and remained upright here which was lucky but my BroodMinder hub lost its magnetic hold and was tossed over onto the ground. No harm done.
All five colonies are now queenright and the new dark Amm queen in Hive 1 is laying at last— a small patch of eggs. I consolidated the frames into one brood box and removed the queen excluder leaving them with a super of honey which is filling nicely for winter. You can see how the temperature has risen since this disturbance and brief inspection on 6th. It hasn’t quite stabilised yet but it will. Compare this temperature profile with the mother queen (her eggs produced the new Hive 1 queen) now in Hive 3 who is laying prolifically.
Book Review
I was very pleased to review this lovely book for Princeton University Press recently. It will appeal to all ages and make a great gift too.
Title: Bugwatching: The Art, Joy, and Importance of Observing Insects
Author: Eric R. Eaton
Illustrator: Samantha Gallacher
Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2025
ISBN: 978-0-691-26400-4
Paperback, 180 pages, size 5 x 8”
Cost £18:99
Bugwatching is a well-written, engaging and informative handbook for the curious reader intrigued by insects and wanting to observe them more closely. Author Eric Eaton is a naturalist and skilled writer whose own fondness and knowledge of insects makes this a delightful read. The Illustrator and artist Samantha Gallacher specialises in insects, and her 40 exquisite colour drawings greatly enhance this book and compliment the clear colour photographs of which there are 100 to enjoy.
There are nine chapters in this well-organised book which aims to raise awareness around protecting insects and our environment. Other goals are to kindle an interest in insects and bring more watchers into the outdoors which is good for human health too. As we discover, watching insects fosters patience, and demands slowing down and not pursuing these animals because they detect motion more quickly than any other and will quickly disappear if alarmed. Bug watching might be a good new hobby for someone needing to relax and unwind.
We learn that Eaton’s fascination with all insects began as a child when he observed katydids mating in his family’s Portland, Oregon garden. Eaton’s love of insects is infectious. He uses the friendly term ‘bug’ when he refers to insects but is clear at the start that the only true bugs belong to the Hemiptera order of which the shield bug is a member. Everyone will enjoy this book but it will be particularly inspirational for younger people because of the friendly way it is written, and the clever strategy of incorporating the profiles and photographs of people already engaged in meaningful work for insect awareness and welfare.
Each chapter is easy to read with topics clearly marked by headings and this book has been designed to dip into rather than to be read from cover to cover. There is a vast amount of useful information including; the ethics of bug watching, how to observe using all senses, the kit required, safety aspects around dangerous insects, photography, recording and nature journalling, when and where to find insects, indoor bug hunting, attracting insects, behaviour, mimicry, biology and reproduction.
There is great emphasis on community science (formerly known as citizen science) and the excitement around discovering new insects and reporting finds to organisations specialising in protecting and promoting insects. Bug watching festivals, events and insect tourism are discussed. Costa Rica is the place to go to see amazing butterflies. Have you ever climbed a mountain and been surprised to find butterflies at the top chasing each other in loop-the-loop style? This is known as hill-topping and is a reproductive strategy whereby males seek height to get a good view of passing females to choose mates from.
There is an extensive section on resources including book lists, field guides, insect projects, blogs, podcasts and YouTube information. For more advanced study, there is a section on identification which can be tricky. Eaton encourages everyone by suggesting that they learn how identify insects in easy stages and enjoy just finding and admiring them at first.
Bugwatching is an excellent resource for educators such as school teachers, parents, grandparents and everyone open to learning more about the threats to all life if insects are lost from our planet. There is also advice on how to remedy some of the problems facing insects in this comprehensive publication which definitely meets the author’s intended aims.