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THE STORY OF THE MOST DIVERSE AND MYRIAD ANIMALS ON EARTH
BY MICHAEL S. ENGEL, FOREWORD BY TOM BAIONE

~A fascinating look at the world’s most numerous inhabitants, illustrated with stunning
images from the American Museum of Natural History’s Rare Book Collection~

To date, we have discovered and described or named around 1.1 million insect species, with thousands of new ones being added every year. It is estimated that there are around 5 million insect species on Earth, making them the most diverse lineage of all life by far.

The new book – INNUMERABLE INSECTS – is a magnificent volume from THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY that tells the incredible story of our planet’s insects.

You’ll hear about the important role played by each of these organisms that share our fragile planet, regardless of their size.

In the new book – INNUMERABLE INSECTS – (Sterling Publishing, October 2018) – noted entomologist MICHAEL S. ENGEL explores insects’ evolution and diversity; metamorphosis; pests, parasites, and plagues; society and language; camouflage; and pollination— as well as tales of astonishing discovery by intrepid entomologists.

More than 180 rare illustrations from the American Museum of Natural History Research Library’s Rare Book Collection reveal the extraordinary world of insects down to their tiniest, most astonishing details, from butterflies’ iridescent wings to beetles’ vibrant colors.

The New York City museum and library started its collection 150 years ago to create a central place of recorded natural science thought and observation throughout the centuries. While much has changed since 1869, the Library’s original commitment ha not.

Michael can discuss:

Bees: the “other” bees, that is not honey bees or bumble bees (the “other” bees comprise 95% of global bee diversity)
Insects and climate
Origins of flight (insects were the first to fly)
Camouflage / mimicry
Insect societies (insects evolved the first societies)
Insect agriculture (insects evolved agriculture and animal husbandry first)
Insect fossils
Insect communication
History of entomology

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s preeminent scientific, educational,
and cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has pursued its mission— to
discover, interpret, and share information about human cultures, the natural world, and the
universe— through a broad program of scientific research, education, and exhibition. Visit amnh.org
for more information.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MICHAEL S. ENGEL is a Research Affiliate at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. He is also Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Senior Curator of Entomology at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Dr. Engel is the coauthor of Evolution of the Insects (Cambridge University Press), and author of numerous entomological treatises. He has been to forty countries, north of the Arctic Circle and down to the equator in tropical rain forests, in search of living insects and ancient fossils. Dr. Engel lives in Lawrence, KS and is available for interview.

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