In this darkly comical look at the sinister side of our relationship with the natural world, Stewart has tracked down over one hundred of our worst entomological foes—creatures that infest, infect, and generally wreak havoc on human affairs. From the world's most painful hornet, to the flies that transmit deadly diseases, to millipedes that stop traffic, to the Japanese beetles munching on your roses, Wicked Bugs delves into the extraordinary powers of many-legged creatures.
With wit, style, and exacting research, Stewart has uncovered the most terrifying and titillating stories of bugs gone wild. It's an A to Z of insect enemies, interspersed with sections that explore bugs with kinky sex lives, creatures lurking in the cupboard, militant ants, and phobias that feed our (sometimes) irrational responses to bugs.
Wicked Bugs is a fascinating mixture of history, science, murder, and intrigue that begins—but doesn't end—in your own backyard.
Download and start listening now!
"Complete horror and sheer fascination starring certain species from the insect and arachnid families. I was sold instantly with Wicked Plants and was eager to get my hands on this one. It did not disappoint! If you like strange curiosities, historical accounts and interesting (and sometimes mind blowing!) facts from the natural world, I truly recommend this fantastical and bizarre read!"
— andrea (5 out of 5 stars)
Stewart amusingly but analytically profiles the baddest bugs around in quick but attention-grabbing snapshots of little creatures that pack a lot of punch.
— Booklist" If for no other reason allowed me to let my Assassin(sp) Bugs live and eat merrily. Good read. The book itself; paper, cover, spine,etc.., made it all the more appealing "
— Erik, 2/11/2014" OK, I can't say I read the WHOLE thing, but it's not that kind of a book. It's more of a strange, horrifying factoid reference book on all kinds of bugs...many that I'll never encounter. But it is interesting. She should make a bunch of 1/2 hour kids' shows about each of her bugs. I bet the kids would get a kick out of it. "
— Elena, 2/8/2014" Easy, educational, fun, and phobia inducing. "
— Craig, 2/6/2014" This book was fun, educational, gross and entertaining - all the prerequisites for an awesome time. And it had very cute illustrations. Recommended for those who are curious about the arthropod aliens (and others) that live among us. "
— Batsheva, 1/29/2014" Well written and morbidly fascinating. I can't remember the last time I was quite so happy to be done reading a book, however! "
— Amy, 1/25/2014" I actually had to stop reading this. It's fascinating and very well written, but it freaked the crap out of me. Gah. Bugs, bugs, bugs. Everywhere and trying to kill us all. Shudder. "
— Gord, 1/18/2014" Very entertaining look at those things we love to disparage. "
— Stacey, 1/13/2014" I was disappointed with this book, but that is most likely due to reading it in audiobook format. Instead, the brief chapters and snippets of interesting data would better be suited for a 'bathroom reader'. While i learned a few interesting facts, this book left me wanting more. "
— Jim, 12/12/2013" No real plot but a good cataloging of the critters that have bedeviled us humans "
— Jeff, 12/11/2013" There were parts of this book that had me squirming uncomfortably. Sometimes, it feels amazing that we humans are able to survive the insect kingdom at all. "
— Kristi, 12/7/2013" Entertaining, but made me determined to avoid every location, except the Pacific NW, and possibly Northern Europe! Also pretty eye opening about the amount of suffering in the Third World--due to bug carried diseases and also parasites. Not for reading while eating. "
— Carrieuoregon, 11/19/2013" Insightful and a bit gross. Listed on tape. "
— Beth, 11/10/2013" Fun book. I'll never go outside again!! "
— Derek, 10/22/2013" Purchased solely on the basis that I enjoyed the author's first title, "Wicked Plants". I don't have a a particular interest in insects but this title has entertaining and informative snippets on the historical impact of dozens of insect species. "
— Roland, 10/20/2013" I don't know why I read her books. I don't like them. "
— tuttle88, 8/31/2013" I can't remember why I checked out this book....except that maybe it was mentioned in something else that I read. Anyway, it is interesting to see the drastic effect such tiny, yet repulsive creatures can cause. However, it did give me creepy dreams, so I didn't finish it. "
— Melanie, 5/9/2012" If you are at all interested in bugs, this book is fantastic. If you're bug phobic, don't read it....it will definitely make you paranoid. However, did you know there have been NO confirmed cases on brown recluse bites in colorado? That is reassuring. :) "
— Athena, 3/25/2012" This book is beautifully designed inside and out and a sheer pleasure to hold in your hands. Added bonus- it is fabulously interesting, albeit occasionally alarming, and not overly scientific. "
— Maria, 1/20/2012" After digesting this book in one read. I think it would be better read in segments and digested over a few weeks. very interesting subjects. "
— Larry, 11/17/2011" Profiles of the various creatures were too brief - instead of feeling like I was reading a science documentary, all I got were interesting commercial breaks. "
— Ray, 8/31/2011" I liked this book. Just as with her previous book on plants, Amy Stewart has an easy-to-read style. There is a lot of information in this little book and it is full of fascinating stories related to the bugs. "
— Ermabom, 8/4/2011" I liked this book. Just as with her previous book on plants, Amy Stewart has an easy-to-read style. There is a lot of information in this little book and it is full of fascinating stories related to the bugs. "
— Ermabom, 6/27/2011" Creepy, crawly, short fact-stories about little creatures; emphasizing their creepiness just enough to pique my ghoulish puerile curiousity. Otherwise, 51 chapters (100 species) of good overview information. I like the book a lot. Nice illustrations. <br/> <br/> "
— Janet, 6/23/2011" I was disappointed with this book, but that is most likely due to reading it in audiobook format. Instead, the brief chapters and snippets of interesting data would better be suited for a 'bathroom reader'. While i learned a few interesting facts, this book left me wanting more. "
— Jim, 6/6/2011" Fun book. I'll never go outside again!! "
— Derek, 6/5/2011" This is a book more for nerds, but it is an easy, fun science read. "
— Emily, 6/2/2011" Edutainment written with a light hand, but chock full of fun information. Also a great addition to your coffee table when you want the dinner guests to leave early.<br/><br/>I am enjoying reading this one much more than her prior book, "Wicked Plants". "
— Eris, 5/28/2011" Ever since I took an entymology course in college, I've found insects fascinating. When I heard about this book on NPR, I knew I had to read it. It creeped me out, and the thought of parasitic worms won't escape my brain, but this was such an interesting read. "
— Leanne, 5/28/2011" Enjoyed this book as much as Wicked Plants by the same author. Lots of anecdotes and descriptions of the way humans and bugs interact. <br/>Lots of creepy crawly awful out there, and since it can crawl, fly and hitch rides on items... they're sure to visit a country you live in soon. "
— Lisa, 5/27/2011" Interesting topic and well presented. I wish the printed version contained photos of these critters. Latin names at great but a picture would make it memorable. <br/> <br/>The book sure will make a person itch, though! "
— Kathy, 5/26/2011" Kind of boring, and a little gross! I thought it would talk more about history, but it's really just a long list of insects, bugs, spiders, etc. The author lost me during the parasite section. "
— Cara, 5/25/2011Amy Stewart is the author of several books, including the historical fiction Kopp Sisters series, which began with Girl Waits with Gun. The series is based on the true story of three remarkable sisters who lived in New Jersey in the early twentieth-century. She has also written six nonfiction books on the perils and pleasures of the natural world, including the international bestsellers The Drunken Botanist, Wicked Bugs, Wicked Plants, and Flower Confidential. She is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship and the American Horticultural Society’s 2010 Book Award. She lives in Portland with her husband Scott Brown, a rare book dealer. They own an independent bookstore called Eureka Books, which is so independent that it lives in California while they live in Oregon.
Coleen Marlo is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator who has been nominated for an Audie Award twice, winning in 2011. She has been awarded three Listen-Up Awards from Publishers Weekly, an AudioFile Audiobook of the Year Award in 2011, and was named Audiobook Narrator of the Year for 2010 by Publishers Weekly. She is a member of the prestigious Actors Studio and taught acting for ten years at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. Marlo is a proud founding member of Deyan Institute of Voice Artistry and Technology.