Insects of South-Eastern Australia: An Ecological and Behavioural Guide, Roger Farrow (2016). Paperback, 288 pages, CSIRO Publishing.

A regional insect identification field guide based on feeding category and host plant.

A walk in the bush reveals insects visiting flowers, patrolling the air, burrowing under bark and even biting your skin. Every insect has characteristic feeding preferences and behaviours. Insects of South-Eastern Australia is a unique field guide that uses host plants and behavioural attributes as the starting point for identifying insects. Richly illustrated with colour photographs, the different species of insects found in Australia’s temperate south-east, including plant feeders, predators, parasites and decomposers, are presented.

The guide is complemented by an introduction to the insects of the region, including their environment, classification, life history, feeding strategies and behaviour. Fascinating boxes on camouflage, mimicry and many other topics are also included throughout. Whether you are a field naturalist, entomologist or just want to know what’s in your backyard, Insects of South-Eastern Australia will help you to identify the insects most likely to be encountered, as well as understand the basics of their ecology and behaviour.

Recipient of a 2016 Whitley Award commendation for Illustrated Guide.

• Provides a general regional insect guide to south-eastern Australia
• The use of host plants and feeding group to identify insects seen in the field
• Easy to use images of all life stages
• Fully identified host plants and locations
• Illustrated descriptions of a large range of insect behavioural phenomena.