Reading progress update: I've read 22 out of 224 pages.

12:27 am 19 July 2015
On the Wing: Insects, Pterosaurus, Birds, Bats and the Evolution of Animal Flight - David E. Alexander

I have decided to keep all of you updated on the knowledge have have gained from reading this book. Thank you Netgalley.

 

1. Some birds are able to copulate during flight. This list includes damselflies, honeybees, mayflies, hover flies, and some hawks. (humans? mile high club!)

 

2. With a wingspan of about 7 meters, the largest flying animal to ever exist was the pterosaur.

 

3. There are several nearly microscopic insects that fly. These include thrips, certain parasitic wasps and a family of miniscule beetles.

 

4. Animals have evolved flapping (powered) flight only four times in the 400 million-year history.

 

This book contains a plethora of knowledge on the study of winged animals and insects. It is actually holding my attention quite well. This would be perfect reference book for teachers/students. My only gripe is that it lacks an index and glossary.

Reference Biology Science Bird Flight insect