The history of dipterology at the Canadian National Collection of Insects, with special reference to theManual of Nearctic Diptera

Abstract

The history of Diptera research at the Canadian National Collection of Insects is briefly outlined. Short biographic sketches of the coordinators of theManual of Nearctic Dipteraare given and the development of the Manual project is presented to provide background on their achievements. Lists of publications by each of the coordinators and of patronyms honouring them are provided. This Festschrift honours the remarkable contributions of the coordinators, J. Frank McAlpine, Bobbie V. Peterson, Guy E. Shewell, Herbert J. Teskey, J. Richard Vockeroth, and D. Monty Wood.

Shrinking biodiversity, dwindling taxonomy and building a broader science

“…as the Manual of Nearctic Diptera was initially generated by a group of seven dipterists in Ottawa with a vision (Cumming et al 2011). The manual was subsequently used as a model to produce similar volumes for most of the rest of the world.…”

Diptera of Canada

“…Subsequently, the three volumes of the Manual of Nearctic Diptera (JF McAlpine et al 1981, 1987, JF McAlpine and Wood 1989) have been major catalysts for dipterological research in Canada and the USA. A detailed overview of these contributions, and the people who made them possible, was provided in Cumming et al (2011). The identification keys to genus found in Volumes 1 and 2 (JF McAlpine et al 1981, 1987) paved the way for future taxonomic work on the Nearctic fauna, and for many families they remain the best identification resource.…”