Castiarina: Australia’s richest jewel beetle genus.

Canberra: ABRS, 2006.
Large octavo, laminated boards, 341 pp. colour illustrations.

A useful tool for professional scientists, natural resource managers and wildlife protection officials, this book includes identification keys, diagnostic features, notes on mimicry, distribution and adult food plants, and realistic colour renditions of the beetles. For those with an artistic eye and love of fine books, the splendid design and superb illustrations of all 478 Castiarina species — these real jewels — will bring delight. For the general reader, the relaxed tone of the introductory sections make easy reading, and the anecdotal stories of some of the wild antics of the beetle collectors will bring a smile or, among those of similar ilk, feelings of empathy. This book provides a wonderful display of the diversity of life, within one group of beetles.