Adults of the Orsodacnidae and Chrysomelidae, including Bruchinae, from South Carolina are keyed and described. These leaf beetles and seed weevils total 498 species in 139 genera that have been reported from or are likely to occur in the state. Included are diagnostic keys and diagrams to aid in identification, a photograph of one species from each genus, data on range both in South Carolina and in North America, months of collection of adults in South Carolina, and host plants. Fifty-one new state records are noted. - from the National History Book Service.

The most comprehensive full-color guide to the beetles of eastern North America Beetles of Eastern North America is a landmark book—the most comprehensive full-color guide to the remarkably diverse and beautiful beetles of the United States and Canada east of the Mississippi River. It is the first color-illustrated guide to cover 1,406 species in all 115 families that occur in the region—and the first new in-depth guide to the region in more than forty years. Lavishly illustrated with over 1,500 stunning color images by some of the best insect photographers in North America, the book features an engaging and authoritative text by noted beetle expert Arthur Evans. Extensive introductory sections provide essential information on beetle anatomy, reproduction, development, natural history, behavior, and conservation. Also included are tips on where and when to find beetles; how to photograph, collect, and rear beetles; and how to contribute to research. Each family and species account presents concise and easy-to-understand information on identification, natural history, collecting, and geographic range. Organized by family, the book also includes an illustrated key to the most common beetle families, with 31 drawings that aid identification, and features current information on distribution, biology, and taxonomy not found in other guides. An unmatched guide to the rich variety of eastern North American beetles, this is an essential book for amateur naturalists, nature photographers, insect enthusiasts, students, and professional entomologists and other biologists. Provides the only comprehensive, authoritative, and accessible full-color treatment of the region's beetles Covers 1,406 species in all 115 families east of the Mississippi River Features more than 1,500 stunning color images from top photographers Presents concise information on identification, natural history, collecting, and geographic range for each species and family Includes an illustrated key to the most common beetle families

The mode of life of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) might appear less interesting, as compared to free and fast roaming and hunting ground beetles (Carabidae), eusocial bees (Apidae), or so many other behaviourally fascinating insects. Chrysomelids generally hatch from eggs, which are typically laid onto their food plants. Larvae eat, moult, and pupate on or very close to these plants. Following emergence as adults reproduction often proceeds without complex courting and, in most cases, without eating much or moving for longer distances. All of this is quite insect-like and seemingly pedestrian. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of host plant selection, the wide range of defensive devices, the multifariousness of shapes and the gaudiness of colours of their body ? to name just a few phenomena of their biology ? continuously fascinate quite a number of scientists, let aside many other beetle enthusiasts. Every four years, in connection with the International Congresses of Entomology, an informal group of leaf beetle workers meets for an International Symposium on the Chrysomelidae. Last time, we met on August 23, 2012, in Daegu, South Korea for the 24th International Congress of Entomology. Of the seven papers therein presented, four are, in extended and elaborated versions, published in the present volume. Three more papers on Chrysomelidae have been submitted independently and are included here as well. The present volume 4 of the series Research on Chrysomelidae is the second published as a special issue of ZooKeys. Publishing with Pensoft?s ZooKeys is not only fast and affordable, but also allows the inclusion of colour illustrations ad libitum, in both the printed and digital versions, so that the authors can easily share their excitement on their scientific objects with their readers. We, the editors, are glad to present this volume and hope that it will be valued not only for its scientific value but also attract the attention of non-chrysomelidologists to the fascinating world of leaf beetles. Hopefully, many such volumes will follow, so that our series will develop into an attractive forum for sharing news about a scientifically interesting, economically important, and emotionally rewarding group of insects.

Clemson University has begun an ambitious undertaking in natural history as the series title?Biota of South Carolina? indicates. This volume is the fifth in the series and the first to deal with plants. The first four volumes all deal with different groups of beetles of South Carolina and if they represent the detail found in the fifth volume about Rhynchospora, the beetles are well documented for South Carolina. The author of this volume, Patrick McMillan, is recognized as a leading expert on the genus Rhynchospora, and he has very skillfully organized his encyclopedic knowledge of this genus into what will become the standard reference for the?beaksedges? of the South Carolina and the eastern United States. This book is essential for anyone that has occasion to key a beaksedge to species but it so much more that just a key to species. It is almost everything you ever wanted to know about the Rhynchospora but were afraid to ask. The book actually answers questions that I did not know that I should be asking. The author has recently developed a television series in conjunction with Clemson University and South Carolina ETV about natural history called?Expeditions? in which he brings natural history to the interested public in such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable way that I can't understand why everyone is not studying to become a biologist. So it is not surprising that his book addressing such a specific area of plant systematics is not only interesting but very readable. - from BioOne Complete Review in Castanea, June 2008.