15
BOOK REVIEW
Archer, Michael E., 1998. Threatened Wasps, Ants and Bees (Hymenoptera:
Aculeata) in Watsonian Yorkshire. A Red Data Book. PLACE Research Centre,
University College of Ripon and York St. John. ISBN 0-9524970-1-8. 68 pp. with many
line drawings. Obtainable from Dr. Margaret Atherden, The University College of Ripon
and York St. John, Lord Mayor's Walk, York, Y031 7EX.. Price £3 (£3.50 with p.&p.)
This Red Data Book deals with 107 threatened species out of a total of 321 species of
aculeate Hymenoptera that have been found in Yorkshire. A complete list of all species
recorded from Yorkshire is given in Appendix 1 and sites on which threatened species of
aculeate Hymenoptera have been found are given in Appendix 2 with details of Natural
Area and the number of records and number of species.
The categories of threatened species used in the book are described, the characteristics of
threatened species discussed and seven species selected for further investigation and the
development of Species Action Plans. The bulk of the book is taken up with the species
accounts which provide information on the status of each species, its distribution in
Yorkshire, with dates of first and last records, its distribution in terms of British
distribution and major habitat and other resource requirements of the species.
Yorkshire is of particular interest in a national context because it includes parts, or the
whole, of 17 Natural Areas and many southern species are at the northern edge of the
distribution and some northern species are at the southern edge of their range in Britain.
The county may therefore be useful as a barometer for changing environmental factors
affecting species.
This is an excellent and remarkably comprehensive publication available at a very
reasonable price which should serve as a model for other regional and county Red Data
Books. The data in the book will be particularly useful for Regional and Natural Area
Biodiversity Action Plans, besides being of use in the UK and Local Biodiversity Action
Plans. It is a must for all people interested in bees and wasps and for all conservation
bodies and their staff in England including our own county here in Essex.
Peter Harvey
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NEWSLETTER
Please send contributions for the next Newsletter, due out in November, to the Editor,
Mr Peter Harvey, 32 Lodge Lane, Grays, RM16 2YP by the end of September at the latest.
If text has already been typed on a standalone PC computer then a disk with the file would
be very helpful but typed or handwritten notes are welcome.
Deadline dates for the Newsletter each year
January/February Newsletter: deadline - end of December
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Readers are advised that publication of material in the Newsletter does not
imply, unless indicated to the contrary, that the views and opinions expressed
therein are shared hy the editor or hy the Council of the Essex Field Club.
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 26, August 1998