Manual of Central American Diptera, Volume 1. Edited by B.V. Brown, A. Borkent, J.M. Cumming, D.M. Wood, N.E. Woodley, and M. Zumbado.

The first of a two-volume set, this book is a collaboration of over 40 experts on Diptera, is the first-ever resource for the identification and understanding of Central American flies. Together, the two volumes treat all 106 families of flies found in the region, including discussions of biology, economic importance, classification, identification to the genus level as well as a synopsis of each genus. Volume 1 has Introductory chapters, Adult & Larval Keys, and treatments of the lower Diptera to lower Brachycera (Tipulidae-Dolichopodidae). Volume 2, submitted in June 2009, will cover the Cyclorrhapha.

Available at: http://pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/books/books/9780660198330.html

World Blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae): a comprehensive revision of the taxonomic and geographical inventory [2009]

Peter H. Adler & Roger W. Crosskey

Available only via the internet at the following URL:

http://entweb.clemson.edu/biomia/pdfs/blackflyinventory.pdf

Read more...

With great sadness I have to inform you that the most adorable and beloved friend and colleague of ours, Dr Brian Stuckenberg, passed away yesterday. Brian joined the Natal Museum staff in 1953, and has been deeply involved in all aspects of Museum life since then and until his last day. After his retirement in 1994, he became an Honorary Research Associate and Director emeritus of the Natal Museum, and continued with his research and editorial commitments at African Invertebrates.

You may forward your words of condolescence to me; I'll print your messages out and forward them to Brian's family.

Kind regards,
Mike Mostovski

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Dr Mikhail (Mike) B. Mostovski
Department of Natural Sciences
Natal Museum, P. Bag 9070,
Pietermaritzburg 3200, South Africa
www.nmsa.org.za
mmostovski@nmsa.org.za

Due to a server that was giving up (motherboard was failing) the site had been giving errors for a while before it was completely gone for the last day or so. We have now been moved to a new server and we should be okay again.

I apologise for any inconvenience and hardship this may have caused you.

Paul

This is the second announcement with more details on the V International Symposium on Syrphidae, on 18-22 June 2009 in Novi Sad (Fruska gora-Andrevlje), Serbia.

The symposium will be held in Northern Serbia, near Novi Sad (the capital city of Province Vojvodina), in the National Park Fruška gora,
http://www.npfruskagora.co.yu/english/ostalo/o_nama.htm
from the 18th to the 21st of June 2009 (excursion on 22nd of June).
All presentations will be in the Center for Economical and Technological Development of Province Vojvodina, Andrevlje on the mountain Fruška gora, as well as accommodation.