 Bees
of the World is the definitive reference work on the apiformes. Written
by Charles D. Michener, the world's leading authority on bee systematics,
The Bees of the World is the only comprehensive, world-wide treatment
of all groups of 1200 genera and subgenera, including more than 16,000
species. In extensive introductory sections, Michener examines the
evolution of bees from wasps, the relations of the families of bees
to one another, the evolution of bees in relation to that of flowering
plants, the nesting behaviour of solitary and social bees, and the
structure of immature and adult bees. Drawing on these considerations
as well as the fossil record, he speculates on the attributes of the
protobee, the common ancestor of all bees. He so cites the major literature
on bee biology and describes the need for further research on the
systematics and natural history of bees, including their importance
as pollinators of crops and natural vegetation. The greater part of
the work consists of an unprecedented treatment of bee systematics,
with keys (many of them regional) for identification to the subgenus
level. For each genus or subgenus, Michener includes a brief natural
history describing geographical range, number of species, and noteworthy
information pertaining to nesting or floral biology.
The
work is beautifully illustrated with 48 colour photos of bees, and
more than 500 black and white drawings and photographs that depict
behaviour, detailed morphology, and ecology. 913
pages Now available at £135 post paid. A
review of this volume may be seen in the latest issue of Bee Biz.
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