From the creator of the classic "Dune" comes this thrilling tale of humanity pitted against nature in a struggle for survival. After the International Ecological Organization exterminates voracious jungle insects to make more room in the overpopulated world, the Mato Gosso area becomes reinfested. Tales come out of the jungles of insects mutated to incredible sizes--and showing intelligence.

A fascinating examination of the fragile balance between consciousness, man and insect from one of the best-loved science fiction creators of all time.

In an overpopulated world seeking living room in the jungles, the International Ecological Organization was systematically exterminating the voracious insects which made these areas uninhabitable. Using deadly foamal bombs and newly developed vibration weapons, men like Joao Martinho and his co-workers fought to clear the green hell of the Mato Grosso.

But somehow those areas which had been completely cleared were becoming reinfested, despite the impenetrable vibration barriers. And tales came out of the jungles . . . of insects mutated to incredible sizes . . . of creatures who seemed to be men, but whose eyes gleamed with the chitinous sheen of insects. . . .