Super Fly
The Unexpected Lives of the World's Most Successful Insects
By Jonathan Balcombe | Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
About the book
Winner of the National Outdoor Book Award for Natural History and a New York Times Editors Choice Pick
\"After reading Super Fly, you will never take a fly for granted again. Thank you, Jonathan Balcombe, for reminding us of the infinite marvels of everyday creatures.\"
—Sy Montgomery, Author of How to Be a Good Creature
From an expert in animal consciousness, a book that will turn the fly on the wall into the elephant in the room.
For most of us, the only thing we know about flies is that they're annoying, and our usual reaction is to try to kill them. In Super Fly, the myth-busting biologist Jonathan Balcombe shows the order Diptera in all of its diversity, illustrating the essential role that flies play in every ecosystem in the world as pollinators, waste-disposers, predators, and food source; and how flies continue to reshape our understanding of evolution. Along the way, he reintroduces us to familiar foes like the fruit fly and mosquito, and gives us the chance to meet their lesser-known cousins like the Petroleum Fly (the only animal in the world that breeds in crude oil) and the Chocolate Midge (the sole pollinator of the Cacao tree). No matter your outlook on our tiny buzzing neighbors, Super Fly will change the way you look at flies forever.
Jonathan Balcombe is the author of four books on animal sentience, including the New York Times bestselling What A Fish Knows, which was nominated for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Award for Science Writing. He has worked for years as a researcher and educator with the Humane society to show us the consciousness of other creatures, and here he takes us to the farthest reaches of the animal kingdom.
Editions of Super Fly
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780143134275
- EBook
- ISBN 9780525506041
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780593292013
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780593292020
Read an Excerpt
Winner of the National Outdoor Book Award for Natural History and a New York Times Editors Choice Pick
\"After reading Super Fly, you will never take a fly for granted again. Thank you, Jonathan Balcombe, for reminding us of the infinite marvels of everyday creatures.\"
—Sy Montgomery, Author of How to Be a Good Creature
From an expert in animal consciousness, a book that will turn the fly on the wall into the elephant in the room.
For most of us, the only thing we know about flies is that they're annoying, and our usual reaction is to try to kill them. In Super Fly, the myth-busting biologist Jonathan Balcombe shows the order Diptera in all of its diversity, illustrating the essential role that flies play in every ecosystem in the world as pollinators, waste-disposers, predators, and food source; and how flies continue to reshape our understanding of evolution. Along the way, he reintroduces us to familiar foes like the fruit fly and mosquito, and gives us the chance to meet their lesser-known cousins like the Petroleum Fly (the only animal in the world that breeds in crude oil) and the Chocolate Midge (the sole pollinator of the Cacao tree). No matter your outlook on our tiny buzzing neighbors, Super Fly will change the way you look at flies forever.
Jonathan Balcombe is the author of four books on animal sentience, including the New York Times bestselling What A Fish Knows, which was nominated for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Award for Science Writing. He has worked for years as a researcher and educator with the Humane society to show us the consciousness of other creatures, and here he takes us to the farthest reaches of the animal kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Super Fly about?
Winner of the National Outdoor Book Award for Natural History and a New York Times Editors Choice Pick
\"After reading Super Fly, you will never take a fly for granted again. Thank you, Jonathan Balcombe, for reminding us of the infinite marvels of everyday creatures.\"
—Sy Montgomery, Author of How to Be a Good Creature
From an expert in animal consciousness, a book that will turn the fly on the wall into the elephant in the room.
For most of us, the only thing we know about flies is that they're annoying, and our usual reaction is to try to kill them. In Super Fly, the myth-busting biologist Jonathan Balcombe shows the order Diptera in all of its diversity, illustrating the essential role that flies play in every ecosystem in the world as pollinators, waste-disposers, predators, and food source; and how flies continue to reshape our understanding of evolution. Along the way, he reintroduces us to familiar foes like the fruit fly and mosquito, and gives us the chance to meet their lesser-known cousins like the Petroleum Fly (the only animal in the world that breeds in crude oil) and the Chocolate Midge (the sole pollinator of the Cacao tree). No matter your outlook on our tiny buzzing neighbors, Super Fly will change the way you look at flies forever.
Jonathan Balcombe is the author of four books on animal sentience, including the New York Times bestselling What A Fish Knows, which was nominated for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Award for Science Writing. He has worked for years as a researcher and educator with the Humane society to show us the consciousness of other creatures, and here he takes us to the farthest reaches of the animal kingdom.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Super Fly?
Lifestyle, Hobbies and Leisure > Nature and the natural world: general interest > Wildlife: general interest > Wildlife: butterflies, other insects and spiders: general interest
Where can I read a sample of Super Fly?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780143134275
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Super Fly?
Jonathan Balcombe
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Super Fly is available as paperback(ISBN 9780143134275) and ebook(ISBN 9780525506041) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780593292013) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780593292020)
Where can I buy Super Fly online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Super Fly from below
Where can I buy Super Fly?