Little Things That Run the World

A stunning, wonderfully rich exploration of the small but mighty beings that profoundly shape our world: insects

How important are bugs in your life? Some are benign but annoying, others are jaw-droppingly beautiful. Some have obvious benefits to humans and still others are downright scary. But all of them, this marvelous book argues, are more relevant in human affairs than you may realize.

In this eye-opening new look at insects, entomologist Zhengyang Wang shines a light on the unseen roles of creepy-crawlers in our lives. A humble larva gave rise to the first truly global supply chain and remains a pillar of the textile industry. A tiny, juicy bug that oozed crimson pigment became one of the most traded products of the Spanish empire. A large caterpillar in southern Africa serves as a delicacy best enjoyed during its brief appearance in spring. Butterfly wings have inspired scientists to develop energy-saving nanomaterial to help battle climate change. Blending history with cutting-edge science, Wang tells the story of humanity with a new, underappreciated twist: our vast, interconnected world is scaffolded by these small but crucial creatures.

Here are stories of swashbuckling colonial spies who smuggle insects like stolen loot; chain-smoking catepillar hunters skulking high up in the Himalaya; underground networks of rare butterfly catchers feeding the world's illustrious collections and museums. Spanning ancient history to the near future, touching on all aspects of human life including agriculture, medicine, climate, and even the science of intelligence, Little Things That Run the World explores the intersection of insects and humans with infectious enthusiasm and rich, wondrous insight.