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Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society
To many it is unfortunate that Dr. Glassberg chooses to treat complex and controversial scientific issues that bear on the discovery and understanding of nature by resorting to misinformation and spurious appeals from the safety of his editorial fiefdom. But by allowing the propaganda to spill into BTB, he corrupts a potentially useful book with an agenda-driven crusade against science and scientific conservation. As such, much of BTB s utility is lost through the use of renegade nomenclature and idiosyncratic presentation of important issues.
In summary, BTB is valuable as an introduction to observing and photographing butterflies, but its failure to deal responsibly with serious conservation-related and scientific issues can, in my opinion, only result in further muddying waters in dire need of clearer solutions.
Literature Cited
Glassberg, J. 2001. Listen, do you want to know a secret (Do you promise not to tell) [sic]. American Butterflies 9(3):2. [Editorial]
Paul Goldstein, Division of Insects, Field Museum of Natural History, Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605-2496, USA
Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 56(3), 2002, 188-189
Catalogue of the Genera Oeneis and Davidina, by Vladimir Lukhtanov and Ulf Eitschberger. Part 11 and Supplement 4 of E. Bauer and T. Frankenbach, eds., Butterflies of the World, Goecke and Evers, Kel-tern, Germany, 2000 (Part 11, Plates) and 2001 (Supplement 4, Text). Plates (28 plates + 12pp; ISBN 3-931374-81-5) and text (37pp.; ISBN 3-931374-52-1) available from Antiquariat Goecke & Evers, Ihn. Erich Bauer, Sportplatzweg 5, 75210 Keltern, Germany (www.insecta.de). Prices Euro 22.50 (plates) and 20.00 (text).
This work, Part 11 of the ongoing Butterflies of the World series edited by Bauer and Frankenbach, is a complete illustrated catalog of the genera Oeneis and Davidina (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Satyrinae, Oeneini). The Plates volume comprises 28 excellent color pages that show, at life size, examples of each of the 199 taxa catalogued. In general, both sexes are illustrated with the upper- and under-sides of each specimen shown on facing plates. This volume includes complete data (cited verbatim from the specimen labels) and brief discussions of the distribution of each taxon. Thirty-five of the approximately 350 individual specimens illustrated are primary types. Incidentally,
the German-language edition of Part 11 (ISBN 1-931374-80-7) was published before the English version and includes the original descriptions of Oeneis buddha greishuberi, O. b.frankenbachi, and O. tarpeja baueri. These descriptions are not in the English version.
The Text, published as Supplement 4 to Part 11, includes a key to the 10 species-groups recognized by the authors and a discussion of each species and subspecies. Full citations to the original descriptions, complete synonymies, locations of type material, and excellent-quality distribution maps are provided. Male and female genitalia are shown for several taxa in each species-group. The English text includes description of one new subspecies (Oeneis nanna taimyrica), absent from the German edition. In addition, three neo-or lectotypes are designated and 3 new combinations are established, and 1 species and 2 subspecies names are reduced to synonymy. The tribe Davidini Cho Io 1998 is synonymized with Oeneini Wheeler 1903.
It is a lovely thing to have before one s eyes a complete holarctic genus, males and females, dorsal and ventral. This is especially true in the case of a genus whose speciation has been extensive in the mountains of central Asia and China, where the existence of such outstanding species as mongolica, urda, and buddha is unsuspected by perhaps most North American lepidopterists. Likewise, it is a revelation to see specimens ofjutta ssp. from localities ranging from Colorado to the Altai mountains on the western border of Mongolia to Siberia. And the two strange, pierid-like Chinese species of Davidina (with genitalia very close to Oeneis but distinct venation) are like nothing else among the satyrs.
Oeneis is a difficult genus and the authors are careful to point out a number of areas where further research is needed. For instance, lucilla Barnes and Mc-Donnough 1918 is retained as a melissa ssp, but full species rank is "not excluded". It is pointed out that adult morphology is insufficient to resolve difficulties in taxonomy of the O. noma group (noma, rosovi, polixenes, philipi, actaeoides) and that study of DNA and immature stages is needed. O. ivallda (Mead 1878) is retained but its conspecifity with chryxus "cannot be excluded".
This work was made possible largely through assemblage, in the Entomologische Museum Eitschberger, of a worldwide collection of 4400 specimens of Oeneis. Through study of this material (supplemented by research in the Zoologische Staatsammlung in Munich and the Zoological Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia, and study of material from the private collections of Grieshuber, Zhou, Strohle, Tremblay, Ferris, and others), Lukhtanov and Eitschberger have produced a work that combines solid scholarship and elegant pre-
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sentation. The reasonably priced work should be on the shelf of any lepidopterist with an interest in montane and arctic Satyrinae.
John A. Hyatt, 5336 Foxfire Place, Kingsport, Tennessee 37664, USA, e-mail jhyatt@eastman.com
Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 56(3), 2002, 189
The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland, vol. 4, edited by A. M. Emmet and }. R. Langmaid. 2002. Published by Harley Books, Martins, Great Horkesley Colchester, Essex C06 4AH, England. Part 1 [Oecophoridae, Ethmiidae, Autostichidae, Blasto-basidae, Batrachedridae, Agonoxenidae, Momphidae, Cosmopterigidae, Scythrididae]: 326 pp., 95 text figures, 146 maps, 13 color plates; Part 2 [Gelechiidae]: 277 pages, 63 text figures, 161 maps, 6 color plates. Hardback, 26.2 x 20.8 cm, ISBN 0 946589 63 1 [set], ISBN 0 946589 66 6 [part 1], ISBN 0 946589 67 4 [part 2]. Price £80.00 [pounds sterling] per part, $150.00 jacketed set excluding postage, available from publisher.
This two-part volume is beautifully produced: the typography is clear; the line drawings of genitalia, heads, venation, and larval activity are extremely well done and accurate; and the color plates are outstanding. Second, it represents a clear, concise guide to the gelechioid fauna [exclusive of Coleophorinae and Elachistinae treated in volume 3] of Great Britain and Ireland. This work is not, and does not pretend to be, revisionary. Nomenclature closely follows the most recent comprehensive list of taxa presented by John Bradley (Log book of British Lepidoptera, 2000). Thirteen authors contributed the nine families (147 species) in part 1, 10 to the Gelechiidae (160 species) in part 2.
In my early years as a budding systematist the only line drawings of microlepidopteran genital characters were in The genitalia of the tineid families of the Lepi-doptera of the British Islands by Pierce and Metcalf (1935). They were relatively crude and did not well illustrate many important features; however, they formed the basis of my knowledge of the western European gelechioid fauna for many years. With the publication of volume 4 of The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland this body of information has been advanced significantly
Family-group treatments comprise a statement on geographic distribution, classification, morphologic characters of adults and immatures, larval hosts and habits, pupation sites, phenology, adult habits, a checklist, identification key to genera, illustrations of male
and female genitalia, and references. Particularly useful is the illustrated key to the genera of Gelechiidae based on male genital characters. All genera and species are characterized following the pattern for family-groups but with the addition of the synonymy and literature citation for each name, illustration of venation for each genus, lateral views of selected heads, a distribution map for each species, larval hosts and habits, and adult habits and summary of geographic distribution. The historical record of each species provides insights to faunal changes. Specific variation is noted, and contrasts with similar species are clear. Much valuable information, which should prove useful for other temperate taxa, is contained for each taxon.
The quantity of life history information is impressive. Beyond the relatively standard discussion of larval appearance and host plants are treatments of larval, pupal, and adult behavior; habitats where adults may be found; diel activity of adults; and history of occurrence. The latter reveals interesting and useful information such as: 1) species known only from Great Britain and collected once, Euclemensia woodiella (Curtis); 2) species collected once in Great Britain but naturally occurring elsewhere, Epicallima formosella ([Denis & Schiffermiiller]); 3) species known from a single locality and regularly collected (Monochroa niphognatha (Gozmany), Metznaria littorella (Douglas)); 4) species very infrequently collected (Dichome-ris ustalella (F.) collected in 1861, 1987, and 1999); 5) species with general occurrence (Agonopterix nervosa (Haworth) and Endrosis sarcitrella (L.)); and 6) introductions (Scythris inspersella (Hiibner)). Because collection data have been, and continue to be, collected and databased, and detailed knowledge of larval hosts has accumulated, it is possible that realistic statements about abundance and distribution of gelechioid species can be made for the region and remedies proposed for maintenance of restricted populations.
An anomalous feature of the entire series is a set of essays/discussions on topics related to Lepidoptera. In volume 4(1) (pp. 11-11, col. pi. A-F, fig. 1-6, tab. 1-3) J. Rydell and M. R. Young have an excellent review "The Ecology and evolution of Lepidopteran defences against bats," which deserves more broad readership than is likely when the title appears solely in the table of contents.
This volume sets a very high standard for comparable works on the fauna of individual countries. I congratulate all involved in the text, illustration, and production for an excellent product.
Ronald W. Hodges, 85253 Ridgetop Drive, Eugene, Oregon, 97405-9535 USA