In ‘Songs of Insects,’ celebrate bug sounds

In ‘Songs of Insects,’
celebrate bug sounds

Ever wonder what those insects are that sing you to sleep on a summer night?

Lang Elliott and Wil Herschberger answer that question and celebrate the beauty of a bug chorus in “The Songs of Insects.”

The authors introduce readers to 77 insects common to eastern and central North America and describe the appearance, habitat and sounds of each. An accompanying audio CD contains recordings of those bug ballads to help you pair the song with the source.

The book also contains intriguing tidbits, such as the fact that you can count the chirps made by a snowy tree cricket in 13 seconds, add 40 and get the temperature of the night air in Fahrenheit.

“The Songs of Insects” is published by Houghton Mifflin and sells for $19.95 in softcover.

Combined dispatches