Jungle Bugs in the Night
Scientific Adventure in the Tropical Forests of the World
By Bruce Purser
April 2007
BainbridgeBooks
Distributed by Trans-Atlantic Publications 
ISBN: 9781891696213
168 pages, Illustrated, 8 1/2 x 11 1/2"
$52.50 Hardcover
This beautifully illustrated book comprises 297 photos of living insects
and spiders, demonstrating a little known aspect of entomology for there
exists no popular literature treating the nocturnal activities of these fascinating
creatures. Few have had the time - or courage - to carry a camera quietly
through the jungle at night. The text and photos introduce the reader to
the various types of tropical forest and their smaller inhabitants.
A chapter
illustrates the many ways in which one may observe nocturnal life in the
jungle, and the special techniques necessary to photograph bugs and vegetation
in these dripping forests. Together with its photos, this book will be of
considerable interest to Nature photographers. Two chapters are devoted to
the more unexpected facets of nocturnal life: color, structure and, especially,
behavior, aspects which are rarely - if ever - treated in text-books.
Photography
of these reclusive creatures has involved many patient hours of standing
and sitting quietly within the darkened forests of Australia, New Guinea,
Malaysia, Madagascar, West Africa, Central America and, especially, Amazonia.
Observation has involved many long nights, from sunset to dawn, at altitudes
varying from sea-level to 4000 meters, at temperatures ranging from 30° to
near zero. The variety and behavior of jungle bugs under these highly variable
conditions give the reader a very good insight into the private lives of
these creatures.
All photos have been taken by the author, each photo being
discussed and integrated in the adjacent text; in that a good photo is worth
a thousand words, this text is reduced to a minimum. However, humorous incidents
and personal remarks have not been neglected, these making reading agreeable.
The author, a Naturalist from birth, has worked (and lived) in tropical forests
for nearly 50 years. An experienced photographer and scientist, he describes
his scientific observations and experiences in a language which all, both
amateur and professional, will appreciate.
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