Ever since Louis Pasteur published his theories on the origin of germs, scientists the world over have focused their attention on smaller and smaller organisms. ""Big Fleas Have Little Fleas"" brings together some of the most intriguing and fascinating stories about the diseases of insects and other invertebrates that have had a major affect on civilisation - from marine diseases of shellfish, parasites on bees, to experimental vaccines for HIV - and about the scientists who turned these discoveries to the benefit of mankind. This absorbing volume opens up a window on a world most of us have never even considered - but which matters to all of us more than we might imagine in this new era of pandemics.