The Wonders of Instinct: Chapters in the Psychology of Insects

In a quiet, sun‑baked plot of land the observer has turned his own garden into a living laboratory, where wasps, bees and beetles become willing participants in simple yet revealing experiments. By watching a scarab tug at a restrained mole or a spider lift its egg sac toward the sun, he uncovers how instinct drives each creature’s precise, often astonishing, solutions to everyday challenges. The narrative blends meticulous field notes with a personal sense of wonder, inviting listeners to share the quiet moments of discovery that arise from patient observation.

The book moves through a gallery of insects—hunting wasps, glow‑worms, cabbage caterpillars and their hidden parasites—each illustrated with clear, vivid sketches that bring the tiny actors to life. Alongside the scientific details runs a gentle reflection on the persistence required to nurture such a study, offering a portrait of a lifelong curiosity that remains undimmed despite life’s hardships. Listeners will come away feeling both educated about insect psychology and inspired by the simple joy of watching nature’s quiet dramas unfold.