Our latest book display showcases the extraordinarily diverse world of insects and their vital, but often overlooked, role in the ecology and continuing health of planet Earth. These books have been selected by colleagues in the Department of Biology, Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Oxford Entomology Society.

Curious about Kafka and creepy crawlies, check out our book display on the lower-ground floor of the RSL.

This display is part of the University’s wider celebrations of the writer Franz Kafka and his seminal novella ‘The Metamorphosis’ (‘Die Verwandlung’). During May and June there will be related events around the University. In particular don’t miss the Bodleian’s major exhibition ‘Kafka: Making of an icon’ opening at the Weston Library on May 30th. To find out about this and all other Kafka related events, visit the Oxford Kafka 2024 website.

For even more entomology recommendations which include not only books but also articles, websites, and videos, take a look at the Kafka reading list available on ORLO

Finally, check out our display of bugs and beetles in the Radcliffe Science Library Entrance Hall!

Display

Barenbaum, M. (2009). The earwig’s tail: a modern bestiary of multi-legged legends.

Online book available. Find it on SOLO.

Cover image copyright Richard lewington

McGavin, G. (2023). Essential Entomology (2nd Edition).

Online book available. Find it on SOLO.

Cover photos, clockwise from top left: Women selling caterpillars in Bangui, Central African Republic (P. Vantomme) Gold-painted crickets on top of Belgian chocolates (P. Vantomme) Black soldier fly in a mass-rearing unit (L. Heaton) Appetizers prepared with insects (T. Calame) Coleoptera species used as a food colorant (A. Halloran) Palm weevil larvae (O. Ndoye)

Huis, A. (2013). Edible insects: future prospects for food and feed security.

Online book available. Find it on SOLO.

McGavin, G. (2023). The hidden world: how insects sustain life on Earth today and will shape our lives tomorrow.

Available in print at the RSL. Shelfmark: QL467.2 MCG 2023. Find it on SOLO.

Goulson, D. (2022). Silent Earth : averting the insect apocalypse.

Available in print at the RSL. Shelfmark: QL496.4 GOU 2021. Find it on SOLO.

McAlister, E. (2018). The secret life of flies.

Available in print at the RSL. Shelfmark: QL533 MCA 2017. Find it on SOLO.

Hoyt, E. (1999). Insect lives: stories of mystery and romance from a hidden world.

Available in print at the RSL. Shelfmark: QL4633 HOY 1999. Find it on SOLO.

Corbet, P. S. (2008). Dragonflies.

Available in print at the RSL. Shelfmark: QL513.O2 COR 2008. Find it on SOLO.

Sumner, S. (2022). Endless forms: the secret world of wasps.

Available in print at the RSL sooon.

Illustrations copyright Louise Bird.

Goulson, D. (2015). A buzz in the meadow.

Available in print at the RSL. Shelfmark: QL467 GOU 2014. Find it on SOLO.