Opt in for Dioptines If Hugo to Venezuela Review by Larry Gall Review by Jeffrey Glassberg
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Opt In For Dioptines If Hugo to Venezuela Review by Larry Gall Review by Jeffrey Glassberg James S. Miller. 2009. Generic Revision Andrew F.E. Neild. 2009. The Butterflies of the Dioptinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: of Venezuela. Andrew F.E. Neild. Part 2; Notodontidae). Part 1: Dioptini and Part 2: Nymphalidae II (Acraeinae, Libytheinae, Josiini. Bulletin of the American Museum Nymphalinae, Ithomiinae, Morphinae). of Natural History 321: 1-1022, 362 figs., 9 Meridian Publications. London. 275 pgs. + 84 tables, 48 color plates. $110. color plates. £110 (approximately $165) Many day-flying moths are showy in This the second volume of a work intended comparison to their nocturnal brethren, and Alex Popovkin to treat the swallowtails, white and yellows there is a hoary old refrain that extols these and brushfoots of Venezuela (Volume 1 was day-fliers as “Honorary Butterflies.” This reviewed in American Butterflies, Winter depends on one’s point of view, of course, 1997). This book, a 4 pound, large format as those of us who have traveled to the (8 ½ inches x 12 inches) reference work — lepidopteran dark side will counter that obviously not a field guide — contains a butterflies are merely an honorary evolutionary wealth of detail about the 196 butterfly species twig on the gigantic tree of moths. treated, including a tremendous amount of But we digress...some of the more gaudily valuable information never before published. patterned day-flying moths are tropical The author used his extensive stays in noctuids, and among these is an offshoot of Venezuela to develop a deep knowledge of the the notodontids (=Prominent Moths) known Venezuelan butterfly fauna and in this book he as the dioptines, the subject of a recent shares his knowledge with the reader. the book). But, are there other reasons to (2009) monograph by Jim Miller. In all my The book not only illustrates all of the purchase this book? Yes. The book will also years of taxonomizing, I have rarely, if ever, species (in the treated groups) that are found in be useful to those who travel to surrounding encountered anything as prodigiously and Venezuela, it also illustrates essentially every South American countries. Actually, since meticulously documented as Miller’s tome. A mated pair of Erbessa priverna. subspecies found in Venezuela. In addition, many of the species treated in this work are Teenage taxonomists (are there such?) would Sept. 4, 2008. Atlantic Forest, Bahia, Brazil. many new subspecies and some new species found throughout the Neotropics, including likely christen it da bomb. are described here for the first time. Mexico (although usually as different Miller details more than 450 different Although there are few living dioptines The photographs, which are of dried subspecies) the book will be of interest to species, and his command of the material is figured in Miller’s monograph, the specimens and spread specimens, are cropped in a style anyone traveling south of the United States. so sprawling and eclectic that a two volume illustrated at the end of Part 2 are beautiful typically employed by butterfly collectors, Unfortunately, the high price of this paperback set is barely enough to keep and capture the variability of this group to show only one-half the wings (as a space volume (justified as it is) may discourage the details from bursting both spines. If nicely. The plates of live immatures include saving device). However, providing a great most potential readers from purchasing it. you haven’t heard of dioptines, don’t fret, crazily colored caterpillars and caterpillar boon to butterfliers, unlike most existing Publishers believe that only a small number you’re not alone. Although active during the appendages, and harlequin-like pupas, and regional books showing specimens, both the of specialists will buy books such as this one daytime, most dioptines are rather furtive Miller documents streams, mountains, and upperside and underside of most specimens and therefore peg the price very high so as moths, and even the few common neotropical other tropical habitats that also sport many are shown. The quality of the printing is good, to recover all of their costs from the limited ones are often overlooked. butterflies. but doesn’t completely capture the vibrancy of number of anticipated purchasers. In my A single species, the California oakworm His dioptine monograph is well written the butterfly wing colors. view, this type of pricing is a self-fulfilling (Phryganidia californica), makes its way and easy to peruse — it may not be your cup It goes almost without saying that if you prophecy. The author has put a tremendous along the west coast into the United States, of tea if you are technically faint of heart, intend to go butterflying in Venezuela, this amount of time and effort into this work where it undergoes periodic population but if you want to partake of one of the best book (and the previous volume) is a must — why not try to reach as many readers as explosions that can lead to its caterpillars modern morphologists strutting the right lep have (I’m assuming that if you can afford to possible? defoliating oaks. stuff, this would be it. travel to Venezuela that you can also afford 44 American Butterflies,Spring 2010 45.