Insect Safari

Exploring the Wondrous World of Everyday Bugs
by Margie Patlak
$19.99

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Join a veteran science writer on a fascinating adventure as she explores the ever-more-astounding world of insects—all in her own backyard. 

When science writer Margie Patlak was inspirited to take a quick close-up snapshot of a bee in her backyard, it was the start of a years-long obsession with cataloging...
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Published By Workman Publishing Company

Format Paperback

Number Of Pages 288

Publication Date 06/02/2026

ISBN 9781523533060

Dimensions 6.1 inches x 8 inches


“Count me in on this safari! You don’t have to travel to Africa to witness strange and glorious animals in the midst of breathtaking behaviors close at hand. Margie Patlak shows that you need not leave your own yard (or in some cases even your house!) to find drama, beauty, and wonder in the insect world. Safari njema!”
—Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus and Of Time and Turtles.
 
“Insect Safari unveils the breathtaking world of bugs through vivid storytelling and stunning discoveries, turning ordinary moments into extraordinary encounters. Margie Patlak’s inviting and engaging voice inspires curiosity, wonder, and a deeper appreciation for the vibrant insect universe surrounding us every day.”
—Stephen Buchmann, author of What a Bee Knows
 
“Wonder bursts from these pages. Vivid prose and gorgeous photography celebrate the diversity and sophistication of insects, and invite us to further discovery. Margie Patlak reminds us that rapt attention to everyday creatures reveals marvels on our doorsteps.”
—David George Haskell, biologist and two-time Pulitzer-finalist author of How Flowers Made our World, Sounds Wild and Broken, The Songs of Trees, and The Forest Unseen.
 
“Margie Patlak’s infectious enthusiasm for her topic made it all the more captivating, and had me thinking she enjoyed writing it as much as I did reading it. Read it yourself and you’ll never look at your backyard the same way again.”
—Jonathan Balcombe, author of Super Fly, and What a Fish Knows
 
“Under all of our noses is a world of insects, whose lives are as strange and fascinating as they are largely overlooked. Margie Patlak's Insect Safari takes the reader through this hidden yet accessible world of parasitic wasps, jewel-like sweat bees, moths that pretend to be bird poop, dancing flies, singing crickets and more — a tapestry of wonder just beyond the door.”
—Scott Weidensaul, author of The Return of the Oystercatcher and A World on the Wing.
 
“Our world is one of the six-legged. Yet, we are wildly unfamiliar with insects and scarcely give them notice. Taking us through explorations of even the nearest surroundings, Margie Patlak demonstrates the wonder, discovery, and beauty of insects and that learning of their lives can change ours. If we take the time to look with care and listen calmly, the most amazing experiences await us.”  
—Michael S. Engel, entomologist at the American Museum of Natural History and author of Innumerable Insects.
 
“Uncommonly well-researched, unusually well-written, and unexpectedly entertaining, Margie Patlak’s Insect Safari is a delightful read for seasoned naturalists and curious laymen alike.”
—Doug Tallamy, Entomologist, Ecologist, Author
 

 
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