Belknap Press | 1990 | Hardcover | 732 Pages | Sold new in NZ for $390

THE definitive work on ants written by the world's two leading myrmecologists. Holldobler & Wilson present a fantastically detailed survey of one of the world's most complex and diverse group of animals.

Virtually all topics are thoroughly covered: anatomy, physiology, social organization, ecology, behaviour, and natural history of the ants. Contains extensive diagrams of most of the world's ant groupings, including many of those found in New Zealand.

A beautiful large format hardback filled with almost a thousand line drawings, photographs, and paintings, it is one of the most visually rich and all-encompassing views of any group of organisms on earth. It will be welcomed both as an introduction to the subject and as an encyclopaedia reference for researchers in entomology, ecology, and sociobiology.

Excellent condition second hand book - The dust jacket has faded and creased near the top slightly, inner contents remain immaculate.

Contents:

1. The Importance of Ants
2. Classification and Origins
3. The Colony Life Cycle
4. Altruism and the Origin of the Worker Caste
5. Colony Odor and Kin Recognition
6. Queen Numbers and Domination
7. Communication
8. Caste and Division of Labor
9. Social Homeostasis and Flexibility
10. Foraging Strategies, Territory, and Population Regulation
11. The Organization of Species Communities
12. Symbioses among Ant Species
13. Symbioses with Other Arthropods
14. Symbioses between Ants and Plants
15. The Specialized Predators 16.The Army Ants
16. The Fungus Growers
17. The Harvesting Ants
18. Weaver Ants
19. Collecting, Culturing, Observing Glossary Bibliography Acknowledgments Index

Keywords: bugs, insects, science, nature, textbook, entomology, biology