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Volume 46, Number 3
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history. The latter represent an accumulation of knowledge for Nepticulidae unequaled for any other comparable region. The larvae are treated by Gustafsson and van Nieukerken in a separate section from the adults. Descriptive synopses, supplemented by numerous, selective line drawings are provided for 101 of the total fauna of 121 species. The immature stages of only six, mostly rare species are completely unknown. Table 3 on pages 325-327 provides an excellent summarization of the body chaetotaxy for the 101 species studied. The main text of volume one concludes with the section on Opostegidae authored by van Nieukerken. Only two genera and four species of Opostegidae are represented in the region covered by this series. Finally, the general distribution of each nepticulid and opostegid species is graphically summarized in a chart on pages 388-401. The text appears to be well edited, with a few typographical errors noted (e.g., on page 37, the dorsal calli referred to in text figure "58" should read "60").
Because of the superb, collective expertise of all four authors and the relatively copious knowledge of the Nepticuloidea for the region treated, the importance of this publication exceeds that of a major faunal contribution. This work should be regarded as a primary source for anyone seeking information on the general biology and morphology of Nepticuloidea.
Donald R. Davis, Department of Entomology, NHB 127, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 20560.
Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 46(3), 1992, 241-242
Distribution of Butterflies in New Mexico (Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea), by Michael E. Toliver (edited by Richard Holland). 1977 (1991). Published by the authors. Distributed by R. Holland, 1625 Roma NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106. 239 pp., 1 text figure. Soft cover, spiral bound, 22.45 x 28 cm., no ISBN; $10.00 (postpaid).
As one who has attempted to compile butterfly records for a large geographic entity, I recognize the Distribution of Butterflies in New Mexico as a labor of love. It is rare that information accumulated in one's notebook evolves into an invaluable printed list available to anyone interested in the region. Such compilations form a solid foundation for future investigations, be they distributional, ecological, or biogeographical. In addition, they provide a basis for planning trips by the general collector.
A short introduction is followed by species accounts presented in order of the checklist of C. F. dos Passos (1964, Lepid. Soc. Mem., No. 1, 145 pp.), with specific location (listed by county), date, and source of the record. A literature cited section and an index by specific name, keyed to dos Passos (1964 op. cit.) checklist number, completes this volume. The major shortcomings of the list (14 years between completion and published appearance, nomenclature similarly dated), are noted by Holland in the preface. Collectors should be aware that the book does not incorporate the recent renumbering of most state highways.
The data were assembled by Mike Tolliver and include those for 269 species of butterflies through 1977; by early 1992, the butterflies known from New Mexico had increased to 314 species (fide R. E. Stanford). The majority of the records are those of the author and editor; these are taken at face value. Literature and other records are presented with or without comment; it would be helpful to know which, if any, were further verified, especially single state records or those from apparently extralimital localities. For example, why were the putative specimens of Papilio troilus not examined? The problem with the supposed New Mexico records of Speyeria hydaspe is mentioned; a similar problem for Speyeria zerene is not (see Scott, J. A., 1986, The butterflies of North America, Stanford Univ. Press, 583 pp.). One wonders why the determinations of Systasea zampa were not
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verified and it is unfortunate that specimens of the Erynnis persius complex were not dissected.
The nomenclature, as stated in the introduction, is largely that of dos Passos (1964 op ctt.) and was updated, apparently by Holland, to include many (but not all) subsequent revisions. New subspecific names proposed for Euphydryas anicia by C. D. Ferris and R. Holland (1980, Bull. Allyn Mus., No. 57), Speyeria atlantis by R. Holland (1988, Bull Allyn Mus., No. 115), and Colics alexandra by C. D. Ferris (1988, Bull. Allyn Mus., No. 116) are included, yet the revisions of Neominois ridingsii by G. T. Austin (1986, Bull Allyn Mus., No. 107) and Thessalia fulvia by M. J. Smith and J. P. Brock (1988,' Bull. Allyn Mus., No. 118) were not consulted. In certain instances, subspecies of some taxa are not recognized. Eurema mexicana is treated as monotypic, yet the southern Central American E. m. bogotana is certainly distinct. The Phoebis sennae is probably P. s. marcellina. No subspecies are mentioned for Calephelis nemesis or Vanessa atalanta. New Mexican Pontia beckerii must be of the nominotypical subspecies; P. s. pseudoch-loridice is a Pacific Northwest taxon. Cyllopsis henshawii is a subspecies of C. pyracmon and the name "nabokovi" refers to the fall brood phenotype (see Scott 1986 op. cit.).
Typographical errors are relatively few although I did not specifically search the book for these. At least one literature citation, C. F. dos Passos and L. P. Grey (1947, Amer. Mus. Novit, No. 1370), was omitted.
All these criticisms are minor. As Holland states in the Preface, "for sheer volume of information it will almost surely never be surpassed." The deficiencies of this work do not in any way detract from its importance and usefulness in the continuing study of the butterflies of New Mexico and southwestern United States.
George T. Austin, Nevada State Museum and Historical Society, 700 Twin Lakes Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89107.
Journal of the Lepidopterists Society 46(3), 1992, 242-243
Simon & Schuster's Guide to Butterflies and Moths, by Mauro Daccordi, Paolo Triberti, and Adriano Zanetti (originally published in Italian under the title Farfarelle, translated into English by Arnoldo Mondadori). 1988. Simon and Schuster/Fireside Books. Printed in Italy, published by Simon & Schuster, Inc., Rockefeller Center, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020 USA. ii + 383 pp., 29 text figures, 1 table, 289 color plates. Soft cover, 11.5 x 19 cm, ISBN-0-671-66066-7; $11.95 U.S.
What a refreshing little book. Oh come on, you say, a field guide to the butterflies and moths of the world? You can't be serious. Obviously, with a genre limit of several hundred pages, a comprehensive field guide on any particular subset of the world Lepidoptera is out of the question. The point of such a field guide should be to stimulate and enrich the large mass of humanity that has minimal lepidopterological experience. This is no small task, but one at which Daccordi et al.'s volume excels.
Consider the first paragraph of the Introduction. That's as far as one might realistically expect many uninitiated readers to advance before abandoning text forever in favor of color plates. If a book hasn't awakened the audience's interest after those first few sentences, it's finished. The authors know this well. In just one paragraph they move from the aesthetics of butterflies and moths, to their more striking biological attributes, to their ties with the plant kingdom, to agriculture and human culture—while all the time developing a low-keyed yet alluring appeal for conservation and ecological awareness. It is a deft example of how to mix the author's agenda with that of the reader.
In fact, this is one of the clearest, most refreshingly honest and articulately craned general natural science books I've reviewed. To see what I mean, focus on the first sentences that follow each section heading in the first 69 pages of introductory/background material. Evolution: "We have gained little knowledge concerning the evolution of the Lepidoptera.