This volume covers three subfamilies, all endemic to Australia. The Phasmodinae are a small group with one genus and four species living in the heath habitats of Western Australia. The Zaprochilinae are represented in the literature by two genera, each with a single species. This volume reveals that four genera are present in Australia, one with more than twelve species. Like the Phasmodinae, the Zaprochilinae feed on flowers but, unlike that group where the flower is destroyed, evidence suggests that only pollen and nectar are eaten and the flower remains intact.
This volume deals with the shield-backed katydids, the Tettigoniinae, covering 17 genera and 72 species. The use of tribes has been disregarded until generic classification is made on a worldwide basis. Introductory chapters provide a wealth of new information about the zoogeography of the subfamily, and on the habitats and biologies of the insects. Dr Rentz has also used oscillograms of the katydids' calling songs to effectively distinguish similar species. Other sections deal with the terminology, collecting and preservation of specimens.
This is the first well illustrated guide to Australian Katydids aimed at a general readership. A Guide to the Katydids of Australia explores this diverse group of insects from the family Tettigoniidae, which comprises about 2000 species in Australia.
Katydids are among the most commonly seen Australian insects. They range in size from about 5 mm to well over 90 mm and occur in many habitats all over Australia. Katydids are masters of deception, imitating twigs, bark, leaves and stems, as well as other insects. A few are brightly coloured and are distasteful to predators. They continue to be research subjects in many university curricula, where students study their behaviour, acoustical physiology and ecology. A Guide to the Katydids of Australia explores this diverse group of insects from the family Tettigoniidae, which comprises more than 1000 species in Australia, including Norfolk and Lord Howe islands. It highlights their relationships to plants, humans and the environment, and includes colour photographs of many species. 2011 Whitley Award Commendation for Field Guide.
This third volume in the series will assist with identification and study of this important genus. Specialised collecting techniques, and the rearing of immature specimens, have yielded many more species than would otherwise have been recorded using only normal collecting techniques. The work accounts for four subfamilies, two of which, the Tympanophorinae and Microtettigoniinae, are endemic to Australia. Each of these endemic subfamilies is represented by a single genus containing several species. Tettigonidae of Australia Volume 3 will be a valuable resource for orthoptera researchers and academics, general entomologists, as well as those with an interest in the ecology and conservation issues related to grasshoppers.
Most of the 170 species of grasshoppers and crickets included in this book can be identified instantly by their songs – and often more reliably than from their appearance. Orthopterans have recently become important subjects in evolutionary biological studies and are also increasingly used in the field of conservation as indicators of undisturbed habitat. The book comprises the following chapters: Introduction; Acoustic Methods; Sound Production and Reception of European Orthoptera; The Nature and Function of the Songs; The Value of the Songs in Taxonomy and Identification; Key to the singing Orthoptera of Western Europe, based primarily on their Songs; and other Animal Sounds that could be confused with Orthoptera Songs – illustrated with over 1600 oscillograms; three Appendixes (Check-list of the species included; Summary of Nomenclatural Changes; Data for the Song Recordings); Glossary; References; Index to Vernacular Names; and General Index.
The Royal Entomological Society (RES) and Wiley-Blackwell are proud to present this landmark publication, celebrating the wonderful diversity of the insects of the British Isles, and the work of the RES (founded 1833). This book is the only modern systematic account of all 558 families of British insects, covering not just the large and familiar groups that are included in popular books, but even the smallest and least known. It is beautifully illustrated throughout in full colour with photographs by experienced wildlife photographers to show the range of diversity, both morphological and behavioural, among the 24,000 species. All of the 6,000 genera of British insects are listed and indexed, along with all the family names and higher groups. There is a summary of the classification, biology and economic importance of each family together with further references for detailed identification. All species currently subject to legal protection in the United Kingdom are also listed. The Royal Entomological Society is one of the oldest and most prestigious of its kind in the world. It is the leading organisation for professional entomologists and its main aim has always been the promotion of knowledge about insects. The RES began its famous Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects in 1949, and new works in that series continue to be published. The Royal Entomological Society Book of British Insects has been produced to demonstrate the on-going commitment of the RES to educate and encourage each generation to study these fascinating creatures. This is a key reference work for serious students of entomology and amateur entomologists, as well as for professionals who need a comprehensive source of information about the insect groups of the British Isles they may be less familiar with.
