Buzzwords

by Berenbaum, May R.

• ISBN13: 9780309070812
• ISBN10: 0309070813
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-07-01
• Publisher: Natl Academy Pr

Summary

What sort of person devotes her life to the study of bugs? How do you picture your average everyday entomologist? In Buzzwords, May Berenbaum blows away any stereotypes you might have with wild and witty short takes on all things entomological.

One of the nation's leading entomologists, Berenbaum is not only fascinated by insects but also shares her long-standing enthusiasm with a brand of humor rarely encountered in a serious scientist. She'll have you laughing out loud -- and nervously checking for bugs crawling up your sleeve.

Whether discussing the longevity of ants (the oldest one on record is 15 years old), the sexual habits of dragonflies (the whole thing is often so brutal that it leaves the female disfigured and the male clinging to life), termite flatulence (cows can't -- and shouldn't -- hold a candle to these bugs when it comes to methane production), or how best to remove a cockroach from the ear canal (two schools of thought: freeze 'em versus flood 'em), Berenbaum's delightful new book is equal parts humor and science.

Berenbaum, a noted sc

Author Biography

May Berenbaum is the head of the Department of Entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Acknowledgments	xv
HOW ENTOMOLOGISTS SEE INSECTS
On elderly ants	3	(5)
Putting on airs	8	(7)
Fatal attractions	15	(6)
Just say ``Notodontid?''	21	(5)
Pick a number from 1 to 1041	26	(5)
Ain't no bugs in me!	31	(7)
Getting up to speed	38	(7)
Sea monkey see, sea monkey do	45	(5)
A prayer before dining	50	(7)
Grotto glow	57	(8)
HOW THE WORLD SEES INSECTS
Super systematics	65	(6)
Inquiring minds want to know	71	(5)
``Let me tell you `bout the birds and the bees ...''	76	(6)
Bizzy, bizzy entomologists	82	(6)
P.C. insects	88	(5)
Over-the-counter insects	93	(6)
Roach clips and other short subjects	99	(6)
Got my mojo workin' (badly)	105	(6)
Weird Al-eyrodidae? Weird Al-eocharinae?	111	(8)
``This is your brain on bugs ...''	119	(6)
Is Paris buzzing?	125	(7)
Infield flies and other sporting types	132	(6)
Sounding off	138	(9)
HOW ENTOMOLOGISTS SEE THEMSELVES
Entomological legwork	147	(5)
``What's in a name? That which you call Eltringham's gland ...''	152	(5)
Apis, Apis, Bobapis	157	(8)
Department of Ant-omology?	165	(8)
Ah! Humbug!	173	(7)
Grumpy old entomologists	180	(6)
Images of entomologists---moving and otherwise	186	(9)
(Water) penny for your thoughts?	195	(6)
Rated GP (``generally patronizing'')	201	(6)
HOW AN ENTOMOLOGIST SEES SCIENCE
Author! Author! et al.	207	(5)
I'm okay---are you O.K.?	212	(6)
``Quite without redeeming quality?''	218	(6)
Flintstones 101	224	(6)
A word to freshmen	230	(8)
Holding the bag	238	(5)
Kids Pour Coffee on Fat Girl Scouts	243	(5)
An o-pun and shut case	248	(7)
Hand-me-down genes	255	(5)
Subpoenas envy	260	(7)
References	267	(14)
Index	281