This book explores the extraordinarily diverse and beautiful world of insects, from tiny wasps to giant beetles. It analyses insect evolution, and describes their behaviour, their environments, and the interactions they have with other animals. It also discusses their vital role in all land ecosystems, and their importance for our own survival.
Cherry trees of various kinds are common in gardens and in the countryside, and the rich communities of insects that live on them offer excellent opportunities for research. The authors' own work has already shown how studies of cherry insects can address major ecological questions. As cherries become more popular for planting in amenity areas and woodland, it becomes increasingly important to understand how their insects interact with each other and with the host plant. We hope this book will encourage more people to contribute to this research and to take advantage of the opportunities offered by this very accessible and diverse insect community. The book introduces the insect species associated with cherry trees, draws attention to particularly interesting features of the insect communities, and highlights topics on which further investigation is needed.