ANTS OF BRITAIN AND EUROPE. By Claude Lebas, Christophe Galkowski, Rumsais Blatrix and Philippe Wegnez.

(2016) 2019 1st English language edition. 8vo paperback (135 x 190mm). Pp415. Colour photographs of ants throughout, location maps.

This book is "the first accessible field guide to the ants of Britain and Europe, covering 400 species, and including detailed descriptions for more than 150 of the most commonly encountered (species)." This book "is packed with outstanding macrophotography, with each species shown both in their natural habitat and close-up to highlight identification features. It features a comprehensive introduction to ant ecology, guidance on where to look for ants and how to study them, in the field, an overview of families, and a detailed illustrated identification key. Every species account includes an accurate distribution map and information on field characteristics, confusion species, habitat and biology." Chapters include: Introduction; Systematics; Worker morphology; Stages of individual development; Social structure and breeding cycle; Labour division; Polymorphism; Colony recognition; Communication; Providing food; Social parasitism; Interactions between ants and other arthropods; Interactions between plants and ants; Where to find ants. Summary of the ants of Britain and Europe (workers); Key to the identification of British and European ants (workers); Species descriptions.