The BBC One Show reporter and entomologist shares his love of insects in this littel hardback published by Michael O'Mara.
McGavin is an academic who has written deeper science than this accessible introduction to the nature of insects.
Nonetheless, his passion for nature is lifelong and intimate. Flies are the second largest insect group with 170k described species. Insects' relation with humans is described by the Schmidt sting pain index, topped by 'walkig over charcoal'. But insects are useful and honey and pollination are just two benefits.
Dave Goulson gives a front cover recommendation and Lev Parikian one on the back, showing how love and of insects is becoming more popular.
But insects face man-made threats such as habitat loss through overmown verges, and rainforest felling for livestock. Ditch palm oil, go vegetarian and have a species-rich wilder garden, urges McGavin, though he also likes to eat insects which he calls flying prawns.
He recommends foxgloves, oaks trees and 'old-fashioned varieties' for pollinators. Don't tidy too much. Grow peat-free. It's standard advice, but given with authority by a stalwart and pioneering entomophile.
