Wasps are amazing creatures that exhibit social behavior and cognitive abilities far superior to other insects, particularly bees - after all, wasps were flying and foraging 100 million years before bees existed! The book by eminent British entomologist Sayrian Sumner describes the fascinating diversity of the world of wasps, their species and functions, the important stages of their evolution, behavior and habitat, the life of solitary wasp hunters and the colony of wasps as a superorganism. You'll learn about the history of wasp research, the role of wasps as indicators of environmental health, ecosystem biodiversity, and habitat pollution, the response of wasp populations to increasing urbanization, and a prediction of what our planet would look like if wasps became extinct. By learning more about the lives of these insects, which are fundamental to the ecological balance of the planet, we can learn more about ourselves and about life on Earth. “Wasps are one of nature’s most mysterious and overlooked gems. Their endless variety of forms demonstrates one of the most unpredictable and impressive achievements of evolution. Their lives are closely intertwined with the lives of other insects, as well as fungi, bacteria, plants, soil, ecosystems, and even you and me. The purpose of this book is to place wasps at nature's table of honor and to transform the terrible disgust that people feel for wasps into the admiration and respect that wasps deserve." (Seyrian Sumner)The PDF A4 format retains the publisher's design.