Entomologists recognize that such guides to insects at large play a role in helping to assign observed insects to the level of order, and to some extent to family, and that they help to educate the general public. This book by George McGavin aims at worldwide coverage of insects and other terrestrial arthropods. Armed with it, the reader can assign observed terrestrial arthropods to order, and to a limited extent to family. The centerpiece of each family presentation is one or more color photographs of adult insects. Although few of these photographs are of insects in nature, they are of high quality, and the paper of the book is glossy throughout to allow excellent reproduction.
Labelled arrows point to distinctive structural features.
The first 45 pages are an introduction to insects and other arthropods, the organization of this book, macrohabitats and habits, form and function, and they include identification keys to the level of order. 244-245 is a glossary of essential terms, although the text in general is written with as little use of specialized terms as possible. Furthermore, the text is written in straightforward English rather than in the bureaucratese that too many entomologists use. 246-255 is a single index of scientific and vernacular names. It is not easy to fault this book.