Heather's Latest Book

WASPS

HARDCOVER  |  9" x 11"  | 416 pages  
full color  ​|  ISBN 9780991356317

  The BUZZ ABOUT WASPS

AN INFORMATION-PACKED GUIDE TO FLOWER-VISITING
​WASPS THAT OCCUR IN EASTERN NORTH AMERICA
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WASPS  is the first full-color, illustrated guide featuring approximately 150 species of flower-visiting wasps, and the specific native plants and habitat each species depends upon. Written with an ecological lens, this richly-illustrated book details wasp diversity and has full-page profiles for each wasp species that include identification tips, geographic range maps, biology, prey, natural history and habitat. 

Five introductory chapters cover wasp taxonomy, nesting biology, prey-hunting behaviors, diet, anatomy, as well as wasp habitat enhancement and management, and the ecosystem services provided by wasps—insect pest population control and pollination. Profiles of each wasp species comprise the major part of the book and are organized by family, showcasing twelve families and sixty-eight wasp genera. Also included are eastern North American regional native plant guides, tips on wasp observation, and over 1000 stunning photographs. 

​This is an essential book for conservationists, naturalists, insect enthusiasts, biologists, nature photographers, native plant aficionados, and anyone interested in beneficial insects and pollinators.

PREVIEW

Upcoming
​author events

March 2-4, 2021
5th Annual Best Practices for Pollinators Summit
Pollinator Friendly Alliance
St. Anthony, MN

March 7, 2021
Wildflower Association of Michigan Conference

NEW! NATIVE PLANT LISTS FOR WASPS  
Free for educational use

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UPPER MIDWEST
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MIDWEST
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GULF COAST
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GREAT LAKES
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NORTHEAST
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ATLANTIC MARITIME
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SOUTHEAST
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MID-ATLANTIC

BOOK AWARDS 

Bees: An identification and native plant forage guide

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2018 American Horticultural Society (AHS) Book Award
2017 Next Generation Indie Book Award Winner (NGIBA): Regional Non-Fiction, Finalist: Science, Nature, Environment
​2017 National Indie Excellence Award (NIEA) Winner: Nature
2017 Independent Publisher Silver Book Award (IPPY): Environment, Ecology, and Nature
2018 Midwest Independent Publishing Association (MIPA) Finalist Book Award: Nature
​BEE IDENTIFICATION SECTION
  • A comprehensive guide illustrating the bees that occur in north-central and eastern United States and southern Canada
  • ​In-depth profiles of 27 bee genera  covering  the life cycles, habitats, diet, foraging behaviors, crops pollinated, nesting lifestyles, seasonality, and preferred native forage plants
  • 12 additional summary profiles for uncommon genera
PLANT SECTION: WHAT TO PLANT FOR BEES
  • Comprehensive profiles 100 native trees, shrubs, and perennials for the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast regions including insect and bird visitation information and bee specializations
  • ​Over 1500 stunning photographs, detailed descriptions, and accessible science​ 
2018 American Horticultural Society (AHS) Book Award Summary
This book packs in a wealth of practical and scientifically accurate information about North American native bee species and the plants that support them. Judges praised it for emphasizing and explaining the importance of plant-pollinator relationships in an accessible, useable format. Sample comments from the award judges:
  • "extremely well-written with beautiful photographs, serving as an excellent resource for identifying the different bees in your garden"
  • "outstanding job of connecting native bees to plants"
  • "it's hard to imagine a more complete reference on this topic with such a clear and readable format." 
SUPPORT NATIVE BEE RESEARCH
For every book purchased, one dollar is donated to the University of Minnesota Wild Bee Squad to support native bee research.  Purchase online

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