Relatively early in the
development of the Biological Survey of Canada, a plan was established for a series of
up-to-date, readily usable and profusely illustrated keys to the families of insects and
their relatives found or expected to be found in Canada. Without such keys, laboratory and
field studies and teaching are hindered. The first fascicle, dealing with the myriapods
and introduction to the arthropods, was published in 1989 [Kevan, D.K. McE. and G.G.E.
Scudder. 1989. Illustrated keys to the families of terrestrial arthropods of Canada 1.
Myriapods. BSC Taxonomic Series no. 1. Spiral bound, 88 pp.].
Subsequently Dr. Geoff Scudder, the author of the subsequent part of the keys (that would
deal with apterygote and exopterygote insects), was indisposed for a substantial period.
With other commitments, that slowed the progress of the project, but now it is moving
forward again. In particular, the many illustrations are being prepared, in association
with Mr. Rob Cannings, as part of a project on the insects of British Columbia. The text
to the keys themselves is essentially finished and only some general text remains to be
written. Once the illustrations are complete (before the end of this year) publication of
the second fascicle in the series can be scheduled.
Copies of the first fascicle on myriapods are still available from: Entomological Society of Canada
393 Winston Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K2A 1Y8
tel. 613-725-2619
fax: 613-725-9349
The cost is $8.00 including shipping: orders from Canada pay in Canadian dollars and add
7% G.S.T.; orders from other countries pay in U.S. dollars.
Relatively early in the
development of the Biological Survey of Canada, a plan was established for a series of
up-to-date, readily usable and profusely illustrated keys to the families of insects and
their relatives found or expected to be found in Canada. Without such keys, laboratory and
field studies and teaching are hindered. The first fascicle, dealing with the myriapods
and introduction to the arthropods, was published in 1989 [Kevan, D.K. McE. and G.G.E.
Scudder. 1989. Illustrated keys to the families of terrestrial arthropods of Canada 1.
Myriapods. BSC Taxonomic Series no. 1. Spiral bound, 88 pp.].