The Songs of Insects

by Lang Elliott

The Songs of Insects is a celebration of the chirps, trills, and scrapes of seventy-seven common species of crickets, katydids, locusts, and cicadas native to eastern and central North America. The photographs in this book will surprise and delight all who behold them. Many of the insects' colors are brilliant and jewellike, and they are displayed beautifully here. This book and accompanying CD provide a unique doorway to enjoyment of the insect concerts and solos that dominate our natural soundscape during the summer and autumn. The text includes information on the natural history of insects, identification tips, and an appreciation of insect song. A seventy-minute audio CD features high-quality recordings of the songs of all species, track-keyed to the information presented in the text.

Genres: Science, Nature, Field Guides, Reference

227 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2007

Reviews

[Namrirru]

Are they too zealous? I think in an attempt to make the material seem less static, they ooze effusiveness for the little critters. As a field guide, it's very good. They divide the different families coherently. The pictures are clear and the diagnostic drawings are great.

The cd is also very good. The common name and scientific name is recited and then it gives about 30-50 seconds of the insect's call(s).

[Nancy]

Riveting photos, lovely attention to sound, (an oddly apologetic preface), and a thrillingly optimistic effort to turn our heads towards insect songs:

"Before long, hundreds of thousands of nature enthusiasts will be tuned in, and nearly all will be planning outings and vacations to experience the glory of insect soundscape."

I also find it odd that the authors encourage us to capture the insects and keep them as pets. (And -- a small note: odd that they say "cerci" are reproductive organs, but I just looked it up and it's not?) (a disappointment?)

Truth is I spent a long time staring at the photos, reading the descriptions of the sounds, and thinking about how much work went into creating this book.

[Matt]

Beautiful and interesting book. Looking forward to identifying who's singing.

[Mycala]

I learned about this book in the Simplicity chapter of Marietta McCarty's How Philosophy Can Save Your Life. As an artist, I appreciate these insects for far more than just their songs. The close-up photos of each kind of cricket, catydid, and cicada are beautiful and you can see the subtle variations in some of the ones that may look identical at first glance. It's also interesting to hear the variations in the insect songs. I'm happy to have been introduced to Lang Elliott, as he makes a lot of other recordings of sounds of nature that I find interesting. Life moves so fast, it's nice to slow down and enjoy the sounds we may not normally give much attention, and to appreciate the beauty of nature.

[Amanda]

A wonderful way to spend date night. Look out for the Mole cricket! He's so creepy.

[Nicholas Sly]

A beautiful book!