Year: 1921
Type: book
Abstract: supplementary volume of 'Typical 'Flies endeavours to complete the series of British Types, which, before the Great War, Professor Theobald was good enough to select and suggest as a sort of itinerary.And his notes in both volumes, especially those on larvae in the present volume, have greatly added to their value.Thanks are due in addition to the British Museum; to the Museum of Mr Rothschild at Tring, for the loan of micro-slides of the Nycteribiidae ; and to Mr H. Wad- dington, of Bournemouth, for micro-slides of the Culicidae.To the late Mr F. C. Adams, of the New Forest, and to Mr N. D. F. Pearce, of Grantchester, for various notes and specimens captured by them 1 .The only specimens which were included in the original list, and have not been obtained sufficiently well set for photography, are those of Medeterus micaceus, Agromyza lutea, Diplosis pyrivora, and of Oscinis frit, to be added later.To Mr Harwood, of Sudbury (Suffolk), I am again greatly indebted for many specimens, especially those of Trypetidae 2 , and seq.There appeared to be no recent illustrations of these beautiful flies and similar species, or even of some rare and common flies, of which identification is difficult.So these, too, have been included in this little volume.It is not claimed that the venation is always clear ; that would be difficult to secure in many cases : but every effort has been made to give a clue to the collector.Whenever possible a comparison with actual named specimens in collections and museums, or with lens, is desirable.The requirements of the Dipterist have been dealt with in the previous volume.They include a good net, bottles, pins, fine brushes, and forceps, for setting.Setting boards, killing bottles, cork- lined boxes for keeping specimens (in these expensive days of cabinets), a low-power microscope, and a good hand lens are desiderata.The hours for collecting are those of calm, March to October; a warm sun is essential.For unknown reasons specimens not only inhabit 1 I greatly regret to hear of the death of Mr Adams since this series of Typical Flies went to press. 1 In the Entomologists Record and Journal of Variation Mr T. C. Collins deals with the variation in wing markings of Trypetidae, stating that the banded mottled wings constitute specified and even generic characters.vi PREFACE TO THE SECOND SERIES certain districts, but as often desert them for even a term of years.Nevertheless, it is in well-known resorts that the capture of certain species is alone possible.A classification of Brauer will be found in this volume, as in its predecessor; a cross marks the specimens contained in this volume, and a star intimates they will be found in the preceding volume.It is hoped that this little book may not be in vain in inducing students to commence a study of wide possibilities.The following books may be of use to the student : Theobald's Monographs of the Culicidae.(British Museum : some of which are out of print.)Verrall's List of British Diptera.British Flies (two volumes).
Source: University Press eBooks
Author: Ethel Katharine Pearce
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2479054676