Identifying British Insects and Arachnids

Essential guide to the specialist literature for the identification of British insects and arachnids.

This book is an essential reference book for anyone, amateur or professional, needing to identify insects or arachnids to species. It includes descriptions, over 2000 of the most useful and up-to-date references, notes on coverage and relevance, and a chapter on how to use library and other information services to best effect.Until now, individuals wishing to identify British insects have found it difficult to track down the specialist keys published in obscure literature, whereas the popular guides are often misleadingly simplistic, covering only a fraction of the species. This book bridges the gap, providing expert guidance through the taxonomic maze. It contains an introduction to each group of organisms, and over 2000 references selected as being the most useful and up-to-date for accurate identification, together with notes on their relevance and coverage. A further chapter covers the understanding and retrieval of scientific references, with advice on using libraries and other information services. This will be an essential reference book for anyone involved in insect and arachnid identification, from interested amateurs to professionals dealing with unfamiliar groups.