A Monograph of the Culicidae or Mosquitoes Mainly Compiled from Collections Received at the British Museum

Abstract

SOME few years ago a critic observed that, owing to the system of classification adopted for the Culicidæ, to describe a new species “and call it a genus” was far easier than to determine its true systematic position. Since then, such has been the activity of genus-makers, the condition of affairs as regards the nomenclature and taxonomy of the known mosquitoes has become infinitely worse. No entomologist of repute will deny that, were characters so trivial as those now employed for the distinction of most of the so-called “genera” amone Culicidæ made use of in other orders of insects, or in other families of Diptera, the result would be little short of chaos. Sooner or later the whole question of mosquito classification will have to be reconsidered; meanwhile the subject awaits the advent of a properly qualified systematist, gifted with breadth of view and possessing a sound knowledge of fundamental principles.

A Monograph of the Culicidae or Mosquitoes. Mainly Compiled from Collections Received at the British Museum.

By Fred V. Theobald. Vol. v. Pp. xv + 646 + 6 plates. (London: British Museum (Natural History), Longmans and Co., B. Quaritch, and Dulau and Co., 1910.) Price 1l. 5s.