DIXIDAE and THAUMALEIDAE – A new recording scheme organiser required
Written by Henry Disney
My 1975 Freshwater Biological Association key to British meniscus midges (Diptera. Dixidae) included distribution maps of the species. When I was asked to undertake a second edition I decided to add the trickle midges (Thaumaleidae), in part because the delightful aquatic larvae of these two families are especially sensitive to the presence of surfactant pollutants such as detergents. In the second edition (Disney, R. H. L., 1999. British Dixidae (Meniscus Midges) and Thaumaleidae (Trickle Midges): Keys with Ecological Notes. Freshwater Biological Association, Scientific Publications 56: 1-129. ISBN 0 900386 60 6) I replaced the distribution maps with summary statements and referred the reader to updated maps produced by the late Kathleen Goldie-Smith in 1990 (Dipterists Digest 3: 8-26 (1989)).
Since the publication of the second edition of my keys I have undertaken no further work on Dixidae or Thaumaleidae, as in my ‘retirement’ (I am now 73) I am restricting myself to the Phoridae (scuttle flies) of the world. However, there is clearly a need for a new enthusiast to take over the Dixidae Recording Scheme, as our knowledge of the distributions of the species is still very patchy. I suggest that a rejuvenated scheme be combined with a recording scheme for the Thaumaleidae.
Are you the right person to take up this challenge? If so, please do get in touch with me