Bees are very much in demand and in the news, so it is surprising that entomologists have waited since the late 1800s for a complete, updated guide to British bees. This 432 page British Wildlife Field Guide volume fills that gap admirably, with a concise text by Steven Falk, one of Britain''s best field entomologists and superb illustrations (as usual) by Britain''s premier insect illustrator, Richard Lewington. There are also 700 photographs often by the author, although a number of other photographers also feature. Although stated to be a ''Field Guide'' the author states in his introduction that this needs qualifying, as many species have lookalikes. Whilst this book will help to popularise the little known solitary bees and increase recording, it remains to be seen whether novices catch and kill bees, then purchase a microscope to get to grips with keys for some of the more complicated species. The trouble is too many species appear identical to the human eye, bees are often fast and all too often one sees bee photos on sites such as Flickr, without identification - even the experts cannot identify a number of these images to species level. For further guidance, the author suggests that enthusiasts check his website link or a museum collection.The book covers Great Britain and Ireland, including the Channel Isles, featuring all 275 species. Introductory chapters cover much the usual, with basics such as classification, life cycle, habitats, behaviour, enemies and associates, conservation also field techniques (including collecting). Well illustrated keys are given to genera and species, also a useful glossary. Bee classification varies among specialists and here the bees are placed in several families - some authors prefer one.For each species there is a brief coverage, featuring scientific and vernacular (English common) names. The latter are often newly created in order to help popularise bees. There are photograph(s) of adults, along with ample notes on description & similar species, variation, flight season, habitat, flowers visited, nesting habits, status & distribution, parasites & associates. There are 234 indicative distribution maps. The photographs are intended to aid identification rather than relying exclusively on Lewington''s illustrations, which feature in 20 pages of plates. As such this is rather a diversion from the format of previous British Wildlife field guides. although a ''How to use this guide'' is included in the book, most amateurs will go straight to Lewington''s plates initially though, in order to compare features side by side. These are on pages 239 to 258 [not numbered, but labelled Plates 1 to 20]. The photographs in the species sections are intended to show identification features (some being diagnostic), many bees would, however, not rest in the positions shown in some images, with wings wide open.
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