In praise of scientific names - a postscript

David Walker recently drew attention to the rediscovery of the rare, so-called crucifix ground beetle at Wicken Fen, which he had seen reported on the BBC News website (White Admiral, autumn 2008, 71: 32). His article included a plea for the use of scientific names for living organisms as we have two Panagaeus species which have cruciform markings and superficially look alike but only one of which, Panagaeus crux-major L., is rare.

It has just been reported (Warrington, S. (2009). The Coleopterist 18: 33-34) that the record was an error - I assume for the locally distributed P. bipustulatus (F.).

This highlights the way in which misinformation can be instantly disseminated on the web creating fiction from fact, something the original recorder can do little to control or emend once the process has begun.

David Nash

Results of the appeal for beetles from MV moth traps
and other beetle records received

In response to my appeal for MV material in last summer’s White Admiral 70 I was pleased to receive from Neil Sherman at Ipswich Golf Club, beetles from his trap as well as a list of his other beetle records for 2008 and I am grateful to him for finding the time once again.

I must especially thank Nigel Cuming who has, as always, kept me up-to-date with his Suffolk captures and I am also grateful to Nigel Odin and Adrian Parr for their usual annual list of beetles from their respective recording areas. Thanks also to Jeff Higgott for sending a specimen found at light at Landguard for naming.

David Nash
Coleoptera Recorder

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RECORDS PLEASE

SPECIES NAME
            Latin is preferred but English is quite acceptable, particularly for birds and mammals.

LOCATION
            The name of the place where the record was made or a sketch map of the site.

GRID REFERENCE
            A Grid Reference of at least 4 figures (e.g. TM/1445):
            6 figure references are preferred (e.g. TM/143452).
            All Ordnance Survey maps have instruction on how to read a Grid Reference.

DATE
            The day, month and year of the record.

NAME
            Name (and address if a new contributor) of the person who made the record.

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The Centre can provide:

    Help and advice about recording and identifying Suffolk's flora and fauna.

    Information for teachers on the way schools can get involved through project work.

    'Tick' cards for recording all the major groups of plants and animals.

 

    If you would like to get involved in surveys, or want to know more about the work of the Suffolk Biological Records Centre, please contact: