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This revised and updated edition of Ladybirds provides a succinct but comprehensive and accessible overview of the biology of ladybirds and their parasites, focusing on ecology in an evolutionary context. It provides the latest information, coverage of recent additions to the British list including the harlequin ladybird, and makes suggestions for further research, both short and long term, highlighting gaps in knowledge and showing readers how to get involved with recording and studying ladybirds. It includes updated keys for the identification of ladybirds at late-instar larval and adult stages, and techniques for studying ladybirds and their parasites in both laboratory and field.



The authors hope that this book will be a valuable resource, not only for students, from school to university and beyond, but also for anyone with an interest in natural history, whether professional or recreational. It seems to me that no aspect of ladybird life has been neglected in this publication. This book is packed with fascinating information presented in a very readable form and I found it hard to put down. From the plagues of ladybirds occasionally reported in the press to chromosome numbers and male-killing parasitic bacteria such as Rickettsia and Wolbachia I found it all interesting stuff. Highly recommended for both the expert and casual reader interested in insects. -- Colin Hart * Amateur Entomological Society Bulletin * "...quite excellent..." -- Simon Barnes * The Times * It's pretty much the only book you'll ever need if you want to get into ladybirds. It covers everything from life history, evolutionary biology, population and more. It also has a key to help you identify and a section on how and where to collect ladybirds for recording. If you like ladybirds, you'll like this book! -- Suffolk Naturalist * Suffolk Naturalist *

Ladybirds

1. Introduction



2. Life history



3. Ladybirds in their environment



4. Ladybirds and their natural enemies



5. Variation in ladybirds



6. Population and evolutionary biology



7. Ladybird distribution



8. Identification of British ladybirds



I: Field key to adult British ladybirds



II: Key to all the adult British Coccinellidae



III: Field key to the larvae of British ladybirds



9. Study techniques and materials



References



Index