Best Entomology Books of 2025

The Beekeeper's Handbook by Diana Sammataro and Alphonse Avitabile is an excellent guide to the art of beekeeping. It offers detailed information on setting up an apiary, handling bees, and caring for a healthy colony throughout the year. The fifth edition provides updated research on the health and behavior of bees in different habitats, and how to identify, treat, and prevent harmful intruders like Varroa destructor mites. The book includes hand-drawn instructional diagrams that provide step-by-step instructions. This is a valuable resource for both beginner and experienced beekeepers alike. Overall, The Beekeeper's Handbook is the best guide to beekeeping, and a must-read for anyone interested in the hobby or profession.

What a Bee Knows: Exploring the Thoughts, Memories, and Personalities of Bees by Stephen Buchmann is a fascinating book that takes readers on a journey into the alien world of bees. Buchmann shares the remarkable abilities of bees to navigate, learn, communicate and remember, despite having just one million neurons in their brains compared to humans' 100 billion. The book challenges conventional wisdom about which animals are capable of emotions and consciousness, making readers gain a new perspective on bees. Buchmann's curiosity and sense of wonder are infectious, making this book a must-read for bee enthusiasts and anyone interested in the natural world.

The National Geographic Photo Ark Insects: Butterflies, Bees, and Kindred Creatures is the latest addition to Joel Sartore's popular Photo Ark series. The book features over 100 species of insects, spiders, and related creatures, captured in Sartore's signature style against a black or white background. Entertaining text, alongside stunning portraits, explains the basics of insect bodies, lives, and behavior. This collection of amazing insect life will intrigue, educate, and amuse all lovers of creepy, crawly creatures everywhere. Overall, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in nature photography and entomology.

Bug Book for Kids: Coloring Fun and Awesome Facts is an entertaining and educational book that combines coloring and learning about 25 cool backyard bugs. Kids will have fun coloring the bugs while discovering amazing facts about them, such as how they protect themselves and how they crawl, jump, and fly. The book also includes bonus trading cards for kids to color and share with family and friends. The illustrations are simple yet accurate, making it easy for kids to understand and appreciate the world of insects. Overall, Bug Book for Kids is a fantastic way to integrate science, art, and fun into learning about backyard bugs.

Honeybee Democracy by Thomas Seeley explores the fascinating process of how honeybees make collective decisions. Seeley's decades of research reveal that these incredible insects use collective fact-finding, vigorous debate, and consensus building to choose and travel to a new home. Seeley investigates how evolution has honed the decision-making methods of honeybees over millions of years and how these methods can also work well for people. An impressive exploration of animal behavior, Honeybee Democracy shows that decision-making groups, whether honeybee or human, can be smarter than even the smartest individuals in them.

The "I Spy Backyard Bugs Book for Kids Ages 2-5" is an engaging picture book that introduces children to over 100 creepy crawlies. The book features 20 puzzles from A to Z, with pages arranged in alphabetical order to help kids recognize letters and associate them with a bug they know. The colorful images and glossy cover make it an excellent gift idea for toddlers, pre-Ks, and preschoolers. Overall, this book is an excellent tool for teaching the ABCs while keeping kids entertained for hours.

The Hummingbirds' Gift by Sy Montgomery is a delightful and inspiring book that sheds light on the fascinating world of hummingbirds. Through the story of Brenda Sherburn, who rescues and nurtures these tiny creatures back to health, Montgomery showcases the incredible abilities and vulnerability of hummingbirds. The book is beautifully written and filled with stunning color photos that capture the wonder and beauty of these winged creatures. This book is a must-read for nature lovers and bird watchers, and it will leave readers with a renewed appreciation for the profound gift that hummingbirds are to our planet.

The National Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects and Spiders: North America is an excellent resource for nature enthusiasts who want to explore the diverse world of insects and spiders in North America. With over 700 full-color photographs and detailed descriptions of habitat, range, feeding habits, and more, this guide is a must-have for any outdoor excursion. The book also includes an illustrated key to the insect orders and detailed drawings of the parts of insects, spiders, and butterflies. The durable vinyl binding makes it perfect for use in the field. Overall, this guide is a comprehensive and valuable resource for anyone interested in the fascinating world of insects and spiders.

Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know is a fascinating book that delves into the cognitive and perceptual abilities of dogs. Written by Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist, this #1 New York Times bestselling book is a must-read for any dog lover interested in understanding why their dogs behave the way they do. Horowitz uses scientific research to explain how dogs perceive their daily worlds, each other, and humans. The book covers a range of topics, including how dogs use their sense of smell, how they communicate with each other and humans, and how they interact with their environment. Inside of a Dog is an informative and enjoyable read that will deepen your understanding and appreciation of our four-legged friends.

OMFG, BEES! by Matt Kracht is a delightful and humorous guidebook that showcases the importance of bees in our ecosystem. With charming watercolor illustrations and witty quips, Kracht covers a range of bee-related topics, from bee behavior to honey making. The book is a refreshing take on the subject matter, as it celebrates bees in a lighthearted and entertaining way. It's a great read for both bee enthusiasts and those who want to learn more about these amazing creatures. Overall, OMFG, BEES! is a unique and enjoyable addition to the world of animal humor books.