Beetles of Britain and Ireland. Vol. 1: Sphaeriusidae to Silphidae

Description:

Reprinted 2014. A new identification guide to the adult Coleoptera of the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the British Crown Dependency of the Isle of Man. It is the first comprehensive account of the beetles of the British Isles since Joy's 'A Practical Handbook of British Beetles' (1932).

Intended as a reference source for coleopterists, ecological consultants and museum curatorial staff, as well as naturalists wishing to make the transition from a casual to a more serious interest in beetles. By bringing together reliable modern keys and using the latest taxonomic arrangement and nomenclature, it is hoped that beginning coleopterists will more quickly learn how to identify beetles and gain added confidence in their identifications.

Keys are provided to every native and naturalised species, including those which have become extinct in historical times. Copious line drawings are provided alongside the keys to illustrate critical characters. High resolution colour photographs of selected species, at least one per genus, are also provided in a series of colour plates.

Four volumes are planned:

Volume 1: Sphaeriusidae to Silphidae

Volume 2: Staphylinidae

Volume 3: Geotrupidae to Scraptiidae

Volume 4: Cerambycidae to Platypodidae

Volume 1 includes the familiar whirligig beetles, diving beetles, ground beetles and carrion beetles, as well as the 'hydrophiloid' group of water beetle families, hister beetles and others. A chapter on the minute and very difficult featherwing beetles is provided by the expert guest author, Michael Darby. This volume also includes a chapter on external beetle morphology and a key to beetle families.

* keys to 887 species in 18 families, with family and genus introductions

* detailed species notes including supporting characters, habitat, phenology, distribution and abundance

* bibliography

* 47 colour plates with 241 photographs of selected species

* index to scientific and family English names