Preface vii
Foreword by Quentin D. Wheeler ix
Acknowledgements xi
1 General introduction 1
PART 1 ENTOGNATHA 17
2 Order Collembola: the springtails 19
3 Order Diplura: the two-tailed or two-pronged bristletails 25
4 Order Protura: the proturans 27
PART 2 INSECTA – 'APTERYGOTA' 29
5 Order Archaeognatha or Microcoryphia: the bristletails 31
6 Order Zygentoma: the silverfi sh and fi rebrats 33
PART 3 PALAEOPTERA 35
7 Order Ephemeroptera: the mayflies or upwing flies 37
8 Order Odonata: the dragonflies and damselflies 42
PART 4 POLYNEOPTERA 49
9 Order Dermaptera: the earwigs 51
10 Order Dictyoptera: the cockroaches, termites and mantids 54
11 Order Orthoptera: the grasshoppers, crickets and bush-crickets 57
12 Order Phasmida: the stick-insects 64
13 Order Plecoptera: the stoneflies 67
PART 5 PARANEOPTERA 71
14 Order Hemiptera: the true bugs 73
15 Order Phthiraptera: the sucking and biting lice 106
16 Order Psocoptera: the booklice and barklice 112
17 Order Thysanoptera: the thrips 118
PART 6 ENDOPTERYGOTA 123
18 Order Coleoptera: the beetles 125
19 Order Diptera: the true flies 177
20 Order Hymenoptera: the ants, bees and wasps 226
21 Order Lepidoptera: the butterflies and moths 268
22 Order Mecoptera: the scorpionflies 308
23 Order Megaloptera: the alderflies 311
24 Order Neuroptera: the lacewings 313
25 Order Raphidioptera: the snakeflies 317
26 Order Siphonaptera: the fleas 319
27 Order Strepsiptera: the stylops 323
28 Order Trichoptera: the caddisflies or sedge flies 326
Index to taxa 337
Peter Barnard has enjoyed a lifetime's fascination with insects since early childhood. He carried out taxonomic research on several insect groups for over 30 years at London's Natural History Museum, where he edited the book Identifying British Insects and Arachnids (1999). In 2007 he was appointed Director of Science at the Royal Entomological Society, becoming the first full-time entomologist to be employed by the Society since its inception in 1833.
“A remarkable book, and at a remarkable price . . . It should be
available in all field centres and field stations where ecological
studies and teaching take place. Further, for the general
naturalist, it will be an eye-opener to the diversity of insects
even within the British Isles and something they will wish to have
to hand on their shelves. It can be unreservedly
recommended.” (Biodiversity and Conservation, 1 October 2012)
“Anyone who wants to know more about British insects will need this
major reference, as it refers to all the latest literature and
includes websites of note at the end of many orders. This really is
an excellent tome, either as a coffee table book or as an
up-to-date reference book that does not cost the earth.”
(Reference Reviews, 1 December 2012) “However, this is a very minor
point and it is a magnifi cent work which, if nothing else, shows
where the gaps in our knowledge are and, hopefully, will encourage
future entomologists to fi ll them. The author is to be
congratulated!.” (British Ecological Society Bulletin, 1
March 2012) “Recommended. Only comprehensive entomology
collections serving general readers and undergraduate students.”
(Choice, 1 March 2012) “Celebrating the work of the Royal
Entomological Society (RES) founded in 1833, and the wonderful
diversity of the insects of the British Isles, this book is a key
reference work for students and amateur entomologists, as well as a
comprehensive information source for professionals.”
(Wildlife, 2012) "British Insects is destined to become the
standard reference and the starting point for any investigation of
the British insect fauna. It will be an essential addition to the
libraries of Universities, research centres, natural historians and
academics ... These combine to form a wonderful package that should
inspire a new generation of entomologists and natural historians.
Sonia Copeland Bloom and the A.E.S. are to be congratulated on a
winning formula. Every school in the UK should have a set."
(Antenna Review, 2012) "In this introduction to this book on
insects, Peter Barnard makes a very good point about sharing of
knowledge." (Science Spin, 1 January 2012) "Generally, the book is
very readable, beautifully illustrated and very informative for
those who are not primarily interested in morphology, phylogeny and
evolutionary history. It can be recommended to amateurs and to all
those who want to make themselves familiar with the rich and
exceptionally well-investigated fauna of the British Islands."
(Journal Zoological Systematics & Evolutionary Research, 2011)
"These points are perhaps carping: the book is welcome, a fine
achievement, and will assuredly be a classic in entomological
publishing in Britain." (Journal Insect Conserv, 2011) "This really
is an excellent book. Printed to the highest standards with a huge
collection of excellent
photographs, it can stand alone as a coffee table book, or as the
most up-to-date reference book to
this broad taxa published. For such a lavish book, I would say
(even for a poor student like myself)
that the price is certainly worth it. I can see this being at my
right hand side for many years to come." (The Amateur Naturalist
magazine, 2011) "A thorough introduction to the insects of
Britain!." (Guardian.co.uk, 30 October 2011) "I have on my desk a
copy of the newly published The Royal Entomological Society Book of
British Insects by Peter C. Barnard, and it will make your head
spin as much as anything Stephen Hawking ever wrote. It takes you
through all 558 families of British insect; as a comparison, there
are only 153 families of mammals in the entire world. It is a
master-word of completeness; it includes 6,600 genera and 24,000
species – of which only 55 have protected status. As you look at
insects you cease to see biodiversity as something weird or amusing
or defined by collections. You understand that biodiversity is
fundamental. It is nothing less than the way that life on earth
works. Making more and more and more different kinds of things is
the basic mechanism of life. You can reach this conclusion by
turning to any page of this marvelous book." Simon Barnes,
Wild Notebook, (The Times, 8 October 2011)
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