PHNOM PENH — The book “Insects in Cambodia” showcases insects in bright colors, providing basic information on what they are and the role they play in nature. Meant for readers young and old, it was produced through collaboration between Sipar, the book-publishing and library-service NGO, and the research and public health center Institut Pasteur du Cambodge.
Authored by two experts in entomology, the book describes the roles insects play in the environment and in the lives of animals and humans. With colorful photos and illustrations along with short explanations on every page, the 42-page book presents the various classifications of insects such as coleoptera (beetles), hymenoptera (ants and bees), lepidoptera (butterflies), and diptera (flies).
Since its release, the book has been a success among all Cambodian publics, said Hok Sothik, director of Sipar and also president of the Cambodian Librarians Association. This is the first publication on insects that makes it easy for children, young people and adults to understand and learn about insects, he said.
The book has been published in three languages: Khmer, English, and French. As Sothik explained, while written for the general public of all ages, the text also includes scientific terminology about insects, which may drive some readers to do research to learn more. There are not many books on insects in Khmer language, Sothik said.
