“Up Close” is right: Davidson’s oversized, sharply focused color photos reveal every joint, palp, wing, eye facet and wrinkle on a succession of common insects, from a seemingly puppy-sized blowfly to an earwig blown up to the dimensions of a sausage. All of his subjects were shot live, in natural settings, often turned toward the camera and in lighting that brings out every detail. Swanson contributes standard but accurate descriptions of insect body parts, life stages, signals, weapons and defenses. Budding bug lovers will stridulate with delight. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 7-9)
