The Geometrid Moths of Europe (6 vols)

The geographical area covered in the six volumes of The Geometrid Moths of Europe ranges from North Cape to Gibraltar and Malta, and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains. Each volume will illustrate the adults of all species, and if possible also subspecies, in photographic colour plates of the highest quality. Sexual dimorphism as well as polymorphism will be illustrated. Most species will be shown at natural size, but some larger groups of small species such as the genera Idaea and Eupithecia will be shown enlarged.

Volume 1: Introduction to the series. Archiearinae, Oenochrominae, Geometrinae
By Axel Hausmann
The Lepidoptera are without doubt the best known insect order in today’s Europe. Nevertheless there is still a great lack of knowledge in some groups, such as the Geometridae. The northern and central European fauna is relatively well known, but the distribution and bionomics of a number of species are poorly known. This problem is much more marked in southern Europe where no books on Geometridae have been published for nearly a century. Data on the bionomics are frequently unavailable which makes it difficult to assess environmental threats to the geometrid species. Information on distribution is still grossly incomplete and many records have been based on misidentifications. These problems are mainly caused by the lack of comprehensive identification literature.

Volume 2: Sterrhinae
By Axel Hausmann
In The Geometrid Moths of Europe volume 2 on Sterrhinae, a number of difficult genera such as Cyclophora, Scopula and Idaea are covered. Especially Idaea with more than 100 species occuring in Europe, has caused a lot of problems to identify, but based on the many specimens illustrated on the 24 colour plates, the species of this genus can be identified much easier now. Apart from its largest species, the genus Idaea is illustrated in 1.5 times natural size. The remaining Sterrhinae are in natural size on the colour plates. On additional black and white photos for species which are difficult to identify, their differential characters are pointed out with arrows. Three new species and three new subspecies are described. A map with the European distribution is given, and with dots for verified specimens. Finally there are line drawings of male and female genitalia of all species and also this volume contains a systematic catalogue of the European species and including those of the neighbouring regions such as North Africa, Macaronesia, Turkey, and the Middle East.

Volume 3: Larentinae I
By Axel Hausmann and Jaan Viidalepp
In this volume 268 species of the Larentinae are covered. Many of the genera have caused serious problems in identification, but based on the larger number of specimens illustrated on the 25 colour plates, the species can now be identified much more easily. In additional black and white photos for species which are difficult to identify, differential characters are pointed out with arrows. As in the previously published volumes 1,2 and 4, maps with the European distribution are given with dots for verified specimens. There are photographs of male and female genitalia of all species and this volume also contains a systematic catalogue of the European species including those of the neighbouring regions of North Africa, Macaronesia, Turkey and the Middle East. This is the first volume including genetic information from DNA barcoding which proved to be a useful, additional tool in identification, taxonomy and species delimitation.

Volume 4: Larentinae II
By Vladimir Mironov
A number of very fine reviews have been written and published in various entomological and lepidopterological journals about this volume 4 of The Geometrid Moths of Europe on Perizomini and Eupitheciini. All the Eupithecia species are illustrated in 1.5 times natural size on the colour plates. A total of 151 species are dealt with in the volume of which 133 are Eupitheciini. One new species is described and a number of species are recorded from Europe for the first time.
Volume 4 sets new standards in the study of the European Eupitheciini and Perizomini.

Volume 5: Ennominae I
By Peder Skou and Pasi Sihvonen
Half of European Ennominae, a total of 141 species are covered in this volume, including difficult genera like Crocallis, Aspitates and Dyscia. Not less than 709 specimens are illustrated in 16 colour plates. For each species the following information is provided: taxonomic data, description, distribution, phenology, biology including host plants, habitat, similar species, male genitalia, including the everted vesica, female genitalia, and distribution map. Genetic data from DNA barcoding is provided for most species. 145 text-figures of diagnostic characters and other morphological structures. The taxonomic part includes new synonymies, status revisions, new combinations and numerous new distribution data. A systematic catalogue of the European species and the adjacent regions of North Africa, Macaronesia, Turkey and Middle East is included also.

Volume 6: Ennominae II
By Bernd Müller, Sven Erlacher, Axel Hausmann, Hossein Rajaei, Pasi Sihvonen, Peder Skou
Final part of The Geometrid Moths of Europe concluding the revision of the European Ennominae moths, covering a total of 181 species plus 21 species of Geometridae found in Europe since publication of previous volumes. Several difficult genera such as Charissa, Psodos, Sciadia, Nychiodes, Selidosema, Peribatodes and the Tephronia complex are covered. Four new species are described, and the fauna is richly illustrated by 1116 specimens in 30 colour plates, 131 genitalia plates and numerous text-figures highlighting diagnostic features. For each species a taxonomic summary, description and diagnosis, distribution map, biology and genetic data are provided. Over 140 taxonomic changes are proposed. A systematic, annotated checklist with synonyms is provided, which summarises the entire Geometridae fauna of Europe (999 species) and adjacent regions.