Description
This unique pictorial guide aims to introduce these amazing predators of the insect world to all nature lovers. This book is the first in a series of books on tiger beetles organized by zoo area. The book introduces the Afrotropical region – the area of Africa, Madagascar and adjacent islands. The Palearctic, Nearctic, Neotropical, Australian and Oriental regions will follow.
The guide will help you get acquainted with 43 genera / 36 subgenera and approximately 300 species/subspecies of the family Cicindelidae of the Afrotropical region.
Of course, trapping locations and species determination by a specialist are included.
The book also offers a comprehensive list of all species living in Africa in the introduction, carefully structured according to Jürgen Wiesner’s expert classifications. (Checklist of the Tiger Beetles of the World, 2nd Edition. December 2020).
One or more representative species of each genus and subgenus are illustrated in the book with large photographs, accompanied by information on sex, size, place of origin and a map of the countries of distribution.
You’ll find invaluable information on sex, size, place of origin, rarity and distribution maps for each fascinating creature. Every species is presented in an ultra-high-resolution top view close-up at 450LPI – so vivid that you’ll feel like you’re right there with them! Plus, we’ve used UV inks on glossy chalk paper to make these images truly pop off the page.
Illustrations of some species have never been published before.
Our visually guide that enthralling source of illustrated identification but also as a valuable professional and amateur entomologists alike. Its topicality and diverse range of species make it indispensable for researchers too.
Tiger beetles are among those predatory insects that captivate thousands worldwide – their allure irresistible to photographers and nature observers alike. Embark on this remarkable exploration today and uncover the hidden wonders of these extraordinary insect predators!
Foreword to the Tiger Beetles of Africa
Among insects, tiger beetles have become one of the best-known groups thanks largely to an army of amateurs contributing their time and effort. The resultant plethora of taxonomic, ecological, behavioral, and distributional data has led this family of beetles to be used as a model system for understanding general patterns of biodiversity across the globe.
Field guides, illustrated books, and online databases have been crucial in attracting this growing number of amateur enthusiasts and providing a focus for their hobbies and interests. Vladimír Štrunc, a gifted musician, photographer, and amateur entomologist, provides another valuable source for revealing the world of tiger beetles to a growing circle of potential citizen scientists.
This outstanding book on the tiger beetles of tropical Africa and Madagascar is the first in a planned series that will cover each of the different biogeographic zones of the world. Štrunc has previously published illustrated books on an overview of The Tiger Beetles of the World as well as other families of beetles, and his growing experience with these books has led to a format in this present volume that surpasses the others. The photos in full color are spectacular, plus they are now supplemented with distributional maps, seasonal occurrence, and relative abundance that make the book valuable to not only aspiring amateurs but to professional scientists and wildlife managers.
The book includes representatives of all Afrotropical tiger beetle genera and subgenera and almost a third of the approximately 920 species now known from this biogeographic area. It is likely to capture the attention and enthusiasm of many yet uninitiated into the world of tiger beetles. The knowledge and usefulness of tiger beetles will likely grow thanks to this first of a series of stunning books to come.
— David L. Pearson
School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, USA
