A complete handbook providing an extensive introduction to the biology, ecology and behaviour of the Zygaenidae. The introduction provides detailed information on zygaenid systematics and phylogeny, life cycles, morphology, zoogeography and palaeontology, genetics and individual variation, ecology and behaviour, conservation, collecting and breeding techniques. In the systematic part of the book, the 115 species of westen Palaearctic Zygaenidae, currently contained in the three subfamilies Procridinae, Chalcosiinae and Zygaeninae, are treated. Each species is briefly described, followed by differentiating characters of similar species, individual and geographical variation, distribution (with maps for each species), ecology, behaviour, early instars and larval foodplants. Colour plates illustrate all species and the male and female genitalia of the Procridinae are also figured. A bibliography provides references to the most relevant literature for those interested in current research.

A complete handbook which will provide an extensive introduction to the biology, ecology and behaviour of the Zygaenidae, a group of diurnal moths that has become one of the most intensively studied models of chemical and evolutionary biology. Consequently, the introduction will provide detailed information on zygaenid systematics and phylogeny, life cycles, morphology, zoogeography and palaeontology, genetics and individual variation, ecology and behaviour, conservation, collecting and breeding techniques. The general part concludes with an essay on the history of research on the Zygaenidae. In the systematic part of the book, the 115 species of westen Palaearctic Zygaenidae, currently contained in the three subfamilies Procridinae, Chalcosiinae and Zygaeninae, will be treated. Each species is briefly described, followed by ifferentiating characters of similar species, individual and geographical variation, distribution (with maps for each species), ecology, behaviour, early instars and larval foodplants. Colour plates illustrates all species and the male and female genitalia of the Procridinae are also figured. A bibliography will provide references to the most relevant literature for those interested in current research. 12 colour plates. Line drawings of genitalia. Distribution maps to all species. Other text figures.

Certificate of Commendation Winner at the 2001 Whitley Awards - Best Zoological Reference Section This very detailed compendium of data on taxonomy and nomenclature of Australian butterflies is another in the Catalogue series produced by the Australian Biological Resources Study, a sub-program of Environment Australia. Expanding on the butterfly section of the earlier Checklist of the Lepidoptera of Australia by Nielsen, Edwards & Rangsi (1996) This Catalogue contains the fine details of naming and status of types of Australian butterflies, and information critical for fixing the scientific names of the species. This volume is the 'Who's Who' for the Australian butterfly fauna, the very basic information we all need, but find so difficult to access and evaluate for ourselves. It is introduced by a comprehensive historical and explanatory account of work on Australian butterflies. Details are given of all genus and species synonymies applicable to the Australian fauna. There are details of the type designations of all 507 available generic names, of type data for the 1,004 available species group names and of nomenclatural changes and changes in taxonomic status for most of the 136 valid genera, 400 species, and 371 subspecies. The butterflies have an enormous literature and this catalogue provides a guide to the significant literature of each taxon. An extensive list of larval food plants is also included, as well as succinct information on ecology and distribution and a comprehensive bibliography. Features