Scientists from CSIRO Entomology have joined forces with CSIRO Publishing to create a new, colourful and exciting multimedia experience.
Insects: Little Creatures in a Big World brings the world of insects, and insects of the world, into your desk-top computer.
CSIRO's new CD-ROM was launched by the Hon. Alan Stockdale, Treasurer and Minister for Multimedia in the Victorian Government, and CSIRO Chairman Charles Allen AO, at a function in Melbourne today.
"Insects is full of colour and movement, and even sound," says Mr Allen. "CSIRO Publishing and CSIRO Entomology have created a world-class multi-media document which provides hours of quality information in a fun entertainment format."
Mr Allen says that the Insects CD-ROM has information about more than six hundred insects from around the world.
CSIRO was an early leader in the field of information packaging, with an earlier version of Insects published in 1994, dealing only with Australian insects.
Since then, CSIRO has published four more CD-ROMs, and re-made Insects to incorporate the insects of the world.
Mr Allen says that Insects: Little Creatures in a Big World will be welcomed by schools and universities, as well as by individuals with an interest in science.
"Insects share our homes, our food, our environment," says Mr Allen. "They are also of vast economic importance - insects cause more than a billion dollars worth of damage to the Australian food industry each year.
"CSIRO's Insects CD-ROM will inspire people - not just young ones - to greater understanding of these little creatures in a big world."
Insects the CD-ROM includes:
Insects: Little Creatures in a Big World is available (for MAC or Windows) from retail publishing outlets or directly from CSIRO Publishing in Melbourne (1 800 645 051 to order).
More information from:
Dr Ebbe Nielsen, CSIRO Entomology 02-6246-4258
Andrew Stammer, CSIRO Publishing 03-9662-7643