Bees, Wasps, and Ants: The Indispensable Role of Hymenoptera in Gardens
If ever a group of garden creatures gets a bad rap, it’s bees, ants, and wasps. Yet, as Grissell so strikingly points out, most of the time their negative reputation is either grossly overstated or decidedly undeserved. Although the role of the order Hymenoptera in garden settings is of vital importance, most homeowners and quite a few gardeners do whatever they can to remove nests, hills, and hives at first sight. It’s a knee-jerk reaction that can have devastating results, for these creatures are essential for pollination, fertilization, and even pest-control. Reviewing their impact, revealing their habits and habitats, and profiling them via such inventive terms as the garden’s “cows,” “wolves,” and “police,” Grissell strikes a fine balance between scientific examination and anecdotal evidence. Although not sufficiently illustrated to serve as a field guide, Grissell’s extensive exploration of this insect order is highly informative and genuinely useful. --Carol Haggas