Description
Book SynopsisProvides a comprehensive account of the 95 lucanid species found in Australia. This book reveals their diversity and beauty, looks in detail at their morphology, habitats and ecology, and explains how to collect, keep and preserve them. Natural history enthusiasts and professional and amateur coleopterists alike will benefit from the use of this guide.
Table of Contents
- Part I
- The language of entomology
- Historical background and current research
- Stag beetle research in Australia
- Overseas research of the Australian stag beetle fauna (major researchers and literature)
- The Australian stag beetle fauna
- Development of the stag beetles
- Gondwanan connections
- Development and composition of the Australian fauna
- Morphology
- General beetle morphology
- What differentiates stag beetles from the other beetles?
- Biology
- The life of a stag beetle
- General beetle biology, development, mating, metamorphosis etc.
- Specific stag beetle biology, food preferences, preferred environment and climate
- Part II
- Checklist of currently recognised species
- Species descriptions
- Collecting and collection
- Collecting philosophy: why is it necessary, the ethics of collecting, moral and legal aspects, nature and the need for environmental protection
- Methods
- Collecting, field preservation, data recording
- Basic methods for setting up and maintaining a collection
- Major collections in Australia
- International online forums (e.g. Scarab Workers of the World)
- Breeding
- Basic methods, equipment, culture substrata, food, humidity, temperature
- Glossary
- Literature (source material)
- Index
