Faune de France

I., A. D.

doi:10.1038/117511b0

Books Received
Published: 10 April 1926

Faune de France

A. D. I.

Nature volume 117, pages 511–512 (1926)Cite this article

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Abstract

THE author of this volume includes in the Vespiformes all wasp-like Aculeates other than the Chrysididæ. The present contribution deals with the five families Sphegidæ, Pompilidæ, Scoliidæ, Sapygidæ, and Mutil-lidæ, or, in other words, the fossorial forms. Owing principally to insufficiency of reference material, the Bethylidæ are not included, and their treatment is postponed until the appearance of a second volume which is in course of preparation. M. Berland has, for the first time, provided a comprehensive account of the 450 species of French fossorial wasps, and has accomplished his task with notable success. As in previous volumes of the series, full use is made of generic and specific keys, while each genus and species is also separately diagnosed. Under every species there is given a resume of its distribution and of the chief facts relating to its biology. The biological notes are especially useful, since the author has sifted the literature of the subject with very evident care, and we know of no other work where similar information is available in an equally concise form. As M. Berland remarks, the study of the habits of Hymenoptera is more especially due to French observers, among whom the names of Latreille, Lepeletier, Dufour, Fabre, and Ferton are recalled. The author has wisely dispensed with long detailed lists of synonymy, and has left those who are curious on this subject to refer to the catalogue of Dalla Torre for all questions of nomenclature prior to 1897.

Faune de France.

Par L. Berland. 10: Hyménoptères vespiformes, I. (Sphegidœ, Pompilidœ, Scoliidæ, Sapygidœ, Mutillidœ). (Fédération française des Sociétés de Sciences naturelles: Office central de Faunistique.) Pp. viii + 364. (Paris: Paul Lechevalier, 1925.) 45 francs.