Language: German
With more than 2200 species and subspecies, i.e. almost a quarter of all substantiated from Central European beetle species, the Staphylinidae are by far the largest Central European beetle family. They inhabit almost every terrestrial and semi-aquatic habitat and are the most frequently studies species in conservation and ecological studies. Many of the predominantly predatory species are of significant importance as pest control in horticulture and agriculture.
This second edition is a revision of the first edition published in 1964, which is now out of print and in many ways no longer current. This volume 4 (Staphylinidae I), made by an international team of experienced specialists, provides an overview of the current state of taxonomy of the family and brings together all the uniques features necessary for determination in new tables. In addition to more and significantly improved figures in the tables, this book includes habitus photographs for all species occurring in Central Europe. The tables are supplemented by updated information on the distribution and habits of the species. Of the 24 subfamilies represented in Central Europe, this volume covers all but the Aleocharinae and Pselaphinae (Volume 5) and the Scydmaeninae which were recently assigned to the Staphylinidae (Volume 3).