Review by Choice Review
A better title would be "The British Hemiptera," since only British families of Hemiptera were included in the keys and systematic accounts. This synoptic limitation notwithstanding, the book does provide an excellent introduction to the Hemiptera, incorporating a synthetic approach to the biology and systematics of these insects. Introductory chapters are provided on food, symbiotic relationship, diseases of bugs, natural enemies, defense, biorhythms, dispersal, distributions, British Hemiptera as a sample of the world fauna, morphology, and classification. The major body of the text focusses on the classification of the Hemiptera and takes into account the rapid changes that have occurred within recent years. Accordingly, the Hemiptera are not divided into Heteroptera and Homoptera; rather, the more contemporary view of Auchenorrhyncha and Sternorrhyncha as equal suborders with Heteroptera is followed and major chapters are devoted to each of these three suborders. Dolling recognizes that the classification presented here may not be universally accepted nor last long. Excellent closing chapters are devoted to techniques for collecting and preserving Hemiptera, a glossary, and information sources; the references in the text are reasonably extensive and contemporary. The text is well written, the binding and print superb, and the illustrations excellent. Should be in the libraries of universities with programs in biodiversity, entomology, or natural history.-S. L. Smith, Bowling Green State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
