Les Coléoptères Dynastidae de Guyane

Dynastid coleopterans are a group of spectacular insects with a particularly high number of species in moist tropical forests, and the more than 140 dynastid species recorded in French Guiana include some of the largest insects in the world. Paradoxically, however, their biology and ecology remain poorly known, and it is still today impossible to compile an exhaustive list of all the species present in South America. To bridge the gap, the authors spent over five years gathering all the information available and set up a reliable and up-to-date database. An in-depth taxonomical and systematic review was carried out to produce the precise list of the species occurring in French Guiana. Additional biological and ecological data were collected by involving the local network of entomologists, thus significantly enriching the information available on this group (distribution, seasonality, ecology of the larvae, etc.).

After an introductory chapter presenting the biology of the Dinastidae, their habitats and the methods used for observing and collecting them, the authors provide identification keys (in French and English) and exhaustive information sheets for all the species (with photographs of the habitus and drawings of the parameres to confirm the identification). In the last section of the book, the authors conclude this inventory by underlining the remaining sampling gaps and opening up perspectives for future surveys and research.

This illustrated guide to the different species encountered in French Guiana is designed to facilitate species identification and encourage future field studies. It is directed at field naturalists, professional and non-professional entomologists, managers of nature reserves and more generally anyone involved in the protection and conservation of the natural heritage of French Guiana.

Winner of the prize "Guy Colas" 2020 (ACOREP-France, association des Coléoptéristes) and "Passet" 2020 (Société entomologique de France)