WHEN considering entomology, habitat loss and Brazil, you might think it鈥檚 all to do with the Amazon rainforest and the millions of beetles facing extinction there. Not if you are University of Illinois professor , you don鈥檛. Referring to a study from the Department of Genitourinary Medicine at Leeds General Infirmary, UK, Berenbaum observes that the popularity of 鈥淏razilian wax鈥� depilatory treatments has resulted in massive habitat loss for the pubic louse, Pthiris pubis.
Throughout The Earwig鈥檚 Tail, Berenbaum squashes urban myths about bugs, explaining along the way why you should not wear your dog鈥檚 flea and tick collar even if you have fleas, as she once did. For 20 years she has taught an entomology course called 鈥溾��, and this book provides a wry look at their interactions. It is scientifically accurate, studded with Latin names and journal references, and consistently funny.
Harvard University Press