This remarkable book offers a portrait of insects unlike any seen before. Using an original lens-based method of high-speed photography inspired by the wraparound vision of the compound eye, it presents 60 stunning images of flying insects. These unique panoramic close-ups take the study of flight out of the laboratory and into the natural environment, offering fascinating new insights on the behavioural ecology of insect flight.

As a form of animal locomotion, flight is a marvel of biological engineering, based on laws of aerodynamics virtually unknown in the world of human aircraft. But it would be wrong to think of flying insects as merely instinct-driven machines; life on the wing is challenging, and safe navigation requires a highly responsive nervous system. Moreover, insect flight is not just a mechanical process but an expression of complex and finely coordinated patterns of behaviour, including dancing displays, patrolling of breeding territories, wing waving as a form of signalling, and more. In the same way that a person’s hands are not merely functional instruments, the wings of an insect, through their movements, mirror inner impulses.

In lucid and engaging prose the author explains the anatomy and physiology of flight, its evolutionary advantages and drawbacks, and the distinct flight patterns shown by different groups of insects – demonstrating how a central nervous system comprising fewer than a million neurons can orchestrate such a varied repertoire of manoeuvres. Looking at things from insects’ point of view will help us see them not just as pests or resources to be exploited, but as vital fellow inhabitants of our planet in need of protection and conservation.

About the Author

John H. Brackenbury is a zoologist, writer and photographer with extensive experience researching animal locomotion using high-speed photographic techniques. He is a retired lecturer of the University of Cambridge and an Emeritus Fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge; a Fellow and Senior Imaging Scientist of the Royal Photographic Society; and a Fellow of the British Institute of Professional Photography.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

The Saint Bookstore has a range of over 1 million titles available.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

SB ONLINE LTD
50 Devonshire Road, Southport, PR9 7BZ, United Kingdom

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

Please order through the Abebooks checkout. We only take orders through Abebooks - We don't take direct orders by email or phone.

Refunds or Returns: A full refund of the purchase price will be given if returned within 30 days in undamaged condition.

As a seller on abebooks we adhere to the terms explained at http://www.abebooks.co.uk/docs/HelpCentral/buyerIndex.shtml - if you require further assistance please email us at orders@thesaintbookstore.co.uk

Right of cancellation

If you are a consumer you can cancel the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE RIGHT OF CANCELLATION

Statutory Right to cancel

You have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.

The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the the last good or the last lot or piece.

To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us, THE SAINT BOOKSTORE, 50 Devonshire Road, PR9 7BZ, Southport, United Kingdom, 44 17042241479, of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail). You may use the attached model cancellation form, but it is not obligatory. You can also electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". If you use this option, we will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a cancellation on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.

To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.

Effects of cancellation

If you cancel this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).

We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.

We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to cancel with contract.

We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.

We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.

You shall send back the goods or hand them over to us or THE SAINT BOOKSTORE, 50 Devonshire Road, PR9 7BZ, Southport, United Kingdom, 44 17042241479, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your cancellation from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.

Exceptions to the right of cancellation

The right of cancellation does not apply to:

the delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
the supply of digital content (including ebooks) which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not cancel it once delivery had started.

Model withdrawal form

(complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract)

To: (THE SAINT BOOKSTORE, 50 Devonshire Road, PR9 7BZ, Southport, United Kingdom, 44 17042241479)

I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) withdraw from my/our (*) contract of sale of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following service (*),

Ordered on (*)/received on (*)

Name of consumer(s)

Address of consumer(s)

Signature of consumer(s) (only if this form is notified on paper)

Date

* Delete as appropriate.

Shipping Terms

Most orders usually ship within 1-3 business days, but some can take up to 7 days.

Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.

Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Order quantity	7 to 28 business days	7 to 28 business days
First item	� 16.01	� 18.01

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.