Guide to Distinctive Terrestrial Beetles of Britain and Ireland

About this book

The Guide to Distinctive Terrestrial Beetles of Britain and Ireland is a handy reference guide for naturalists and enthusiasts, featuring:

- a straightforward flow chart to identify distinctive beetle families,
- annotated photos of 21 distinctive beetle species,
- a design geared towards identifying living beetles in the field: lightweight, shower-proof and rucksack-sized

In Britain and Ireland, there are roughly 4,000 beetle species within 103 families. Globally, about one in every three insects is a beetle, with around 400,000 species currently known and many more yet to be discovered. Their extraordinary diversity in form, behaviour and ecology makes them fascinating to study and observe. But the sheer variety can be daunting for beginners. This latest addition to the Field Studies Council’s extensive AIDGAP series aims to make beetle identification more accessible. Practical and visually appealing, the guide focuses on beetle species that you are most likely to see. It features concise written information, high-quality photographs and detailed drawings.

The guide includes photographs of 21 species for speedy picture matching and a simple flow chart identification key made up of yes/no questions. Following these leads users to 23 distinctive beetle group illustrations, each accompanied by supporting notes. These illustrations were carefully redrawn from the seminal 1932 work of coleopterist Norman Humbert Joy. For those seeking further detail, the guide also signposts a range of additional identification resources.

This guide is part of the Field Studies Council’s AIDGAP series (Aids to Identification in Difficult Groups of Animals and Plants). The AIDGAP guides are accessible identification keys, suitable for non-specialists from age 16+. As with all guides in the series, it underwent extensive testing before publication by beginners and specialists alike.

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