Eric Eaton is an entomologist and the well known author of Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect, and co-author of the Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. Today, we discuss his most recent work, Insectpedia, due out on May 3. Insectpedia promises to be a fascinating and non-traditional look at insects, the people who study them, and their role in history and society.In today's discussion, we spent a few minutes learning about Eric's non-traditional path to entomology and writing, and the lasting impact of one of his kindergarten teachers.And soon enough we get into some amazing entomological facts. For example, do you know what the fly belt is? As a hint, I'll tell you it's not a leather strip used to keep a fly's pants from falling off. Joking aside, you will hear exactly what the fly belt is and how the tsetse fly is filling a preservationist role. You'll also learn about parasitoids - and specifically, the differences between parasites and parasitoids. You'll hear how a wasp targets yellow jacket wasps, but only indirectly through a third party caterpillar. Prepare to have your mind blown.And Eric tells us why aphids are actually really important to our food web. And as frequent listeners know, I love aphids because of those links to the food web.Eric also gives us some perspective on how we, as individuals, can help make societal-level shifts to improve our environment. And stick around to the end - Eric has plenty of fine book recommendations, too (all are listed in the full show notes).You can find Eric @bugeric on Twitter and bug_eric on iNaturalist, and on Facebook. You can also find him on his blog at bugeric.blogspot.com.People, Organizations, WebsitesArthro-pod PodcastBirdability - accessibility in birding and natureBird Names for Birdsbugeric.blogspot.com - Eric's insect blogEric's Interview on the Ologies podcast with Allie WardMike Houck - Portland Audubon SocietyOregon Entomological SocietyPrinceton University Presssenseofmisplaced.blogspot.com - Eric's social commentary blogUnipress BooksBookslinks are affiliate linksInsectpedia, Eric Eaton's latest, due out May 3, 2022.Insects Did It First, by Greg Paulson and Eric EatonLate Night Thoughts on Listening to Mahler's Ninth Symphony, by Lewis ThomasLives of a Cell, by Lewis ThomasMariposa Road, by Robert Michael PyleThunder Tree: Lessons from an Urban Wildland by Robert Michael PyleWasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect, Eric Eaton's ode to the wonders of wasps.What Are People For? by Wendell BerrySupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/naturesarchive)