Some may already have heared, others will not. As of the first of September I will be changing jobs and become biology curator at the Natural History Museum of Maastricht. My main responsibilities will be the preparation of temporary and maintenance of biological parts of permanent exhibitions and curation of the biological collections. There are some additional tasks and when there is time to spare after that I will have time for research. If you need to send me any material, either visit the museum's website for the address or contact me directly.

At first time I will be staying near/in Maastricht for a few days in the week and the other days I will be at home. I cannot yet estimate the amount of time I will have available, so please be patient.

Manual of Central American Diptera, Volume 1. Edited by B.V. Brown, A. Borkent, J.M. Cumming, D.M. Wood, N.E. Woodley, and M. Zumbado.

The first of a two-volume set, this book is a collaboration of over 40 experts on Diptera, is the first-ever resource for the identification and understanding of Central American flies. Together, the two volumes treat all 106 families of flies found in the region, including discussions of biology, economic importance, classification, identification to the genus level as well as a synopsis of each genus. Volume 1 has Introductory chapters, Adult & Larval Keys, and treatments of the lower Diptera to lower Brachycera (Tipulidae-Dolichopodidae). Volume 2, submitted in June 2009, will cover the Cyclorrhapha.

Available at: http://pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/books/books/9780660198330.html

World Blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae): a comprehensive revision of the taxonomic and geographical inventory [2009]

Peter H. Adler & Roger W. Crosskey

Available only via the internet at the following URL:

http://entweb.clemson.edu/biomia/pdfs/blackflyinventory.pdf

Read more...

With great sadness I have to inform you that the most adorable and beloved friend and colleague of ours, Dr Brian Stuckenberg, passed away yesterday. Brian joined the Natal Museum staff in 1953, and has been deeply involved in all aspects of Museum life since then and until his last day. After his retirement in 1994, he became an Honorary Research Associate and Director emeritus of the Natal Museum, and continued with his research and editorial commitments at African Invertebrates.

You may forward your words of condolescence to me; I'll print your messages out and forward them to Brian's family.

Kind regards,
Mike Mostovski

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Dr Mikhail (Mike) B. Mostovski
Department of Natural Sciences
Natal Museum, P. Bag 9070,
Pietermaritzburg 3200, South Africa
www.nmsa.org.za
mmostovski@nmsa.org.za

Due to a server that was giving up (motherboard was failing) the site had been giving errors for a while before it was completely gone for the last day or so. We have now been moved to a new server and we should be okay again.

I apologise for any inconvenience and hardship this may have caused you.

Paul