Eurytoma brunniventris Ratzburg (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) New to IrelandAuthor(s): Robert NashSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 25, No. 7 (Jul., 1996), p. 268Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25536021 .

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268 Ir. Nat. J. Vol. 25 No. 7 1996

EURYTOMA BRUNNIVENTRIS RATZBURG (HYMENOPTERA: EURYTOMIDAE) NEW TO IRELAND

On 17 September 1980, two specimens of this small black chaleid (8 9) were bred from galls of Cynips longiventris Haitig which had been collected in Somerset Forest, nr Coleraine, Co

Londonderry (C849307) two days previously. E. brunniventris is a well-known parasitoid of the

cynipids which gall oak Que reus spp. Gall causers, inquilines and other chalcids are attacked and the

parasitoid probably eats the gall tissue as well as the host. Further information will be found in

Claridge, M. F. and Askew, R. R. (1960 Entomophaga 5: 141-153) and Askew (R. R. 1961 Trans.

Soc. Br. Ent. 14: 237-268). The specimens have been deposited in the Ulster Museum.

Department of Zoology, Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Belfast BT9 5AB ROBERT NASH

REVIEWS

A revised key to the caseless caddis larvae of the British Isles with notes on their ecology by J. M. Edington and A. G. Hiidrew. 134 pages. 1995. Freshwater Biological Association, Ambleside, Cumbria, England LA22

OLR Scientific Publication No. 53. ?!4.00stg. ISBN 0 900386 55 X.

When the first edition was reviewed in this journal (O'Connor, J. P. 1982 //: Nat. J. 20:404), it was

mentioned that the key filled a major gap in the limnological literature and that it would become a standard work

of reference. This assessment proved to be correct for it quickly became an essential volume for anyone interested

in freshwater insects or limnology. Now, fourteen years later, the authors have published a new edition. Its part

sponsorship by the National Rivers Authority emphasizes the importance of caseless caddis in assessing watei

quality by biological means. The increase in the number of pages (from 92 to 134) demonstrates the growth in

our knowledge of the caseless caddis both in the British Isles and on the Continent. Significant discoveries have been made in these islands and the larval stage of only one species remains to be described. In addition, species once considered to be rare have been found to be more widely distributed. For example, Hydropsyche saxonica

McLachlan is more common than previously thought, occurring in central and western England. It is interesting to note that Tinodes maculicornis (Pictet) is still only known from Ireland where it was first recorded in 1887.

The book is well laid-out. The introduction reviews recent taxonomic developments and there is a checklisi

of species. The keys have excellent illustrations and are easy to use. They are followed by a useful section or

taxonomic notes. There are excellent chapters on feeding, biology, habitat distribution and life histories. These

contain many fascinating facts. For instance, Tinodes unicolor (Pictet), which occurs in highly calcareous streams

in Ireland, feeds on a blue-green alga embedded in the calcite incrustations. It gains access to the algal filaments

by using an acid secretion to dissolve the calcite!

There are twelve pages of references, a comprehensive index and four excellent plates. The only complaini that this reviewer had concerning the first edition was its impractical white cover which rapidly became soiled

Happily, the new edition has an attractive user-friendly cover. The authors, the Freshwater Biological Associatior

and the National Rivers Authority, are to be congratulated for publishing this superb volume. Undoubtedly, it will

be very successful like its predecessor. Finally ? a plea. Because of the significant changes in this new edition

it is essential that freshwater workers should purchase it and not continue to rely on the earlier publication. Al too often, one comes across students for example who are using obsolete editions of freshwater keys foi

identifying insects ? sometimes with disastrous consequences for their research work.

J. P. O'CONNOE

Trees of Britain by Alan Mitchell. 368 pages. Harper Collins, London, 1996. ?14.99stg. ISBN 0 00 2199726.

Alan Mitchell's Trees of Britain and Northern Europe (Collins Field Guide), first published in 1974 anc

many times reprinted, is a classic guide to tree identification in this part of the world. It is treasured for its cleai

and concise information, and also for the author's lively opinions and prejudices which break through from tims to time, revealing an original and entertaining personality. Sadly, after long illness, Mitchell died in 1995, wher

it seemed as though his contributions to dendrology were at an end. The appearance of his posthumous Trees q, Britain, described as a companion volume to the Field Guide, is a welcome surprise, not only for its technica

value but because it is such an enjoyable read. Where the Field Guide is succinct, Alan Mitchell's Trees ofBrttair is anecdotal, opinionated, non-metric and above all, enthusiastic. From his long career as a dendrologist Mitchel

has distilled into this volume his vast knowledge of specimen trees, and is not afraid to state strongly hek

convictions. The Sitka spruce is described as having "everything the Norway spruce so signally lacks; far fron

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