A Coleopterist's Handbook

Now reprinted as a softback.

One of the Amateur Entomologists' Society's best selling publications, The Coleopterist's Handbook is available as an expanded fourth edition. It includes new chapters and 32 pages of colour plates and the text has mostly been re-written or fully revised and expanded with only two pages of text from the third (1991) edition not being changed. Nomenclature has been brought inline with current use, collecting/curatorial methods reflect best practice and plant/beetle and beetle/plant lists are included together.

The book is organised into nine sections:

1. The Beetle families (199 pages)- This section of the Handbook gives specific information about the members of the bulk of beetle families represented in Britain. Much of the information has been written by an internationally recognised authority on the specific beetle family. This chapter is intended to supplement the chapters on general collecting, breeding and preparation methods.
2. Collecting (109 pages) - This section focuses on finding and collecting beetles and includes information on equipment, sampling methods, habitats, and also lists beetle and host plant associations.
3. Curatorial (58 pages) - This section focuses on how to prepare, create and maintain a collection of beetles for scientific purposes. The section includes information on a range of topics including equipment, mounting procedures, data labels and identification.
4. Breeding (12 pages) - This section covers breeding beetles including chapters on terrestrial larvae; aquatic larvae; dung inhabiting larvae; soil inhabiting root feeders; wood and bark inhabiting species; and detritus and fungal feeders.
5. Conservation (18 pages) - This section looks at beetle conservation and includes information on protected species, site designation, important organisations and information flow.
6. Creating a database (5 pages) - A brief section outlining the benefits of keeping a separate record of species within a beetle collection (i.e. not simply based on data labels kept with the specimens).
7. Recording (10 pages) - This section explains what is meant by 'biological recording' as it relates to beetles. It includes information on the structure and operation of beetle recording in Britain and how to record beetles.
8. Glossary (17 pages) - a glossary of terms related to the study of beetles and also includes several illustrations.
9. Beetle index (9 pages) - an index of beetle Genera referred to in the text of the handbook.

Production of the Handbook has been overseen by two of Britain's leading entomologists who are also amongst the impressive list of contributing specialist authors. Recent additions to the British fauna, modern and traditional techniques are included. The user will appreciate all advice and comment given in the book is based upon collective years of practical experience of both curatorial methods and field craft.

The Society has sold copies of the third edition world wide, an indication of the value and use of the Coleopterist's Handbook.

Fourth edition (almost) fully revised.
Edited by J.Cooter & M.V.L.Barclay
496 pages including 32 colour plates.

AES members are eligible for a significant discount on this publication reducing the price to just £24.00. To obtain a discount coupon please see our Members' only area or contact us for details.

Please note, this reprint is a softback.