This work is the third of a projected group of six volumes on Empidoidea (Diptera, Brachycera) of Fennoscandia and Denmark, and the first concerning the true Empididae, the dance flies, of the taxonomically difficult genus Empis.
In total, 64 species and 11 subgenera are treated, including the faunas of Great Britain and the Netherlands. Each subgenus is briefly characterized, with data on phylogeny, distribution, biology, and number of species. The species are fully described and differential characters are illustrated, including the male genitalia. Data are provided for occurrence and distribution, and epigamic and swarming behaviour are reviewed.
The Empididae (Diptera) of Fennoscandia and Denmark will serve not only dipterists, but also taxonomists and museologists. It will also be useful to researchers in ecology, zoogeography, evolutionary biology, agriculture and environmental studies.
Milan Chvála, born in Prague in 1936 and graduated in 1960 at the Faculty of Science of the Charles University in Prague in zoology and entomology. Lecturing entomology at the Faculty of Science in Prague since 1965 and in 1989 awarded the DrSc degree in biology. Since 1991 vice-dean of the Faculty of Science of the Charles University. Corresponding member of the Entomological Society in Helsinki (1984), Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society of London (1991) and since 1986 vice-chairman of the Council for International Congresses of Dipterology. He has published more than 150 scientific papers in dipterology including several monographs and books, for instance volumes 3 (1975) and 12 (1983) of the Fauna Entomologica Scandinavica, The Horse Flies of Europe (Copenhagen 1972) or (together with J. Zahradník) Insects: A Comprehensive Illustrated Guide to Insects of Britain and Europe (Hamlyn, London 1989).