Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Swedish Syrphinae volume published
Posted by
conopid on 20-10-2009 14:29
#1
Nationalnyckeln, Tvåvingar: Blomflugor
I have just taken delivery of the new Swedish Syrphinae volume and what a fantastic work it is!
Lavishly illustrated with huge and fine illustrations of many species. It has very useful looking keys, with many photographs which clearly show the key features.
A mouth watering book - thoroughly recommended to all students of European Syrphidae.
Posted by
Andre on 21-10-2009 16:56
#3
I hope you registered for the series Nigel, cause that saves you a lot of money! After receiving next issue (around december) you are allowed to quit the registration. All for free, but saves a lot!
Posted by
conopid on 23-10-2009 19:03
#4
Andre,
No I didn't register - drat! I also have the problem of paying for it now that I have it. They don't seem to take credit cards, so I have to pay by Bank Giro. My bank will charge me £30 (approx 31euros) to do this!
Still, it's a terrific book and worth every penny/cent!
#5
The second Syrphidae volume was delivered to Swedish subscribers yesterday.
#6
I am highly, truly impressed by the second volume! Haven´t studied the keys in too much detail yet, but skimming through the Platycheirus and Cheilosia descriptions made an amazing evening. This is an beautiful book which gives all species a lot of space.
As with all Nationalnyckeln volumes, the editorial board choses to keep the number of references to a minimum, which makes them a bit less useful for some of us. I guess they choose to do this to make them more accessible for the average user. Maybe they think the books seems more "definite" and "true" to the reader without all citations, which of course is a fallacy.
However, the author does a fine job informing the reader about the parts of the work that still rests on a bit unsafe ground, such as the nice discussions about the unresolved diversity within the Pipiza noctiluca complex.