'Modernising' Lindroth's Carabidae key

[Jason Green]

Afternoon all,

I have just received Carl Lindroth's RES key to Carabidae as a birthday present It was originally published in 1974, but this copy is a re-print from 1996 with a first-page corrigenda insert.

In what ways will this differ to Luff's more modern work? I'm aware of the addition of a few since this was re/published, back then acknowledging 353 species.

Take care,

Jason

[Matt Smith]

It will be harder to use, have much worse illustrations (they look like poor photocopies of the originals in the Fauna Ent Scand Carabid key, also authored by Lindroth) and some of the names will be out of date.

Keep it on the shelf for interest but use either the new RES Handbook by Luff or the Naturalists Handbook on Carabids when trying to ID specimens. Luff is very nice and seems to work very well in my limited experience of it.

[Paul mabbott]

As you note, 'new' species is a big problem but there are errors and/or not too good options: some of them on quite common species.
The ones I remember off hand are:
Nebria salina v Nebria brevicollis - the best differentiating factor is the setae of the hind legs only.
Bembidion lampros v Bembidion properans - latter has nine or more pits on 7th interval, the former fewer.
Notiophilus quadripunctatus doesn't always have four hind dorsal pits.

Knowing these, the key still works pretty well for its age! Indeed, if you're like me, you'll probably occasionally get a specimen where you try Luff/Lindroth/Forsythe and every other key you can get your hands on - just to end up with a 'possibly ....'

In particular, I find Lindroth often most clear for Harpalus and sometimes Amara spp. Have fun.

[Jason Green]

Thanks both and will do, Paul. My next issue? Actually finding some! To-date I have only ever had the fortune of eight sightings of carabids in the wild. Pitiful! I thought I'd struck one the other week during some log-turning. You know what it was? Nalassus Laevioctostriatus! I have a couple of non-descript Lebiini species that look like fun.

I really must become better-coleoptered this year...

[Paul mabbott]

[quote=Jason Green;855845]Thanks both and will do, Paul. My next issue? Actually finding some! To-date I have only ever had the fortune of eight sightings of carabids in the wild. Pitiful! I thought I'd struck one the other week during some log-turning. You know what it was? Nalassus Laevioctostriatus! I have a couple of non-descript Lebiini species that look like fun.QUOTE]

Not the best time of year, although I've never failed to find something under a rock or log - you perhaps haven't tried the right sort of log () - big ones. Most species (the smaller ones) of carabid are annual - they live one year dieing in mid-summer or autumn/winter. The larger species (large pterostichines especially) live for twor or even three years and so will be found under cover in the winter. Searching woods in your area should provide numbers of four species (Pt. madidus, Nebria brevicollis, Abax parallelopipedus, Calathus piceus) with the occasional Carabus & Notiophilus. A few others will be found in the Apring/Summer but generally, although most carabid species are woodland ones, they are quite rare/scarce. Searching in woods can be very disappointing - one can easily find more individuals/species in grassland and ruderal sites with a lot less effort!

That's no reason to give up - you just need to be patient. It's worth the effort.

[watsthat]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Thanks both and will do, Paul. My next issue? Actually finding some! To-date I have only ever had the fortune of eight sightings of carabids in the wild. Pitiful! I thought I'd struck one the other week during some log-turning. You know what it was? Nalassus Laevioctostriatus! I have a couple of non-descript Lebiini species that look like fun.

I really must become better-coleoptered this year...

Hi Jason

Gardens and allotments, especially organic with lots of debris and composting. Its a thought, turns up loads of stuff for me

Cheers

Pete