The lives of wasps and bees

the long version

"At the mention of this title, most of us think only of the common wasp and the honey bee, perhaps adding in the hornet. But these are only three representatives of two large families of insects which the author describes brilliantly and simply, telling us of the different habits and lives of many differents wasps and bees. Many of them are solitary insects who live as predators capturing and storing various other insects as food for their own larva. The author shows the various stages of evolution which can be seen in present-day wasps and bees; from the solitary to the semi-social, to the fully social common wasp and honey bee. The book is fully illustrated with brilliant photographs of many of the types, and black and white drawings. Sir Christopher Andrewes, a scientist with a distinguished career in medicine, has always been interested by wasps and bees. He has now put down something of his great knowledge in a fascinating account for the general reader. "The Lives of Wasps and Bees" is a companion volume to "The World of Reptiles" by Angus Bellairs and Richard Carrington..." -- Book Jacket.