We are told from the time we are children that insects and spiders are pests, when the truth is that most have little or no effect on us - although the few that do are often essential to our existence. This title suggests we take a closer look at our slapped-at, stepped-on, and otherwise ignored cohabitants. It brings together fifty stories.

Collecting 51 essays from his Richmond Times-Dispatch "What's bugging you?" column. 2000-2005, Evans (Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation/Virginia Museum of Natural History/Smithsonian) shares his lifelong fascination with insects and spiders. From close-to-home "safaris," he reflects on biodiversity and the life cycles and mostly useful roles of many familiar bugs. But only an entomologist could view cockroaches in a positive light! The book includes suggested reading and websites.