Foreword

Insects, and in fact all invertebrates, always seem to be ignored when assessing the biodiversity of an area, partly because they are often small and insignificant and partly because many are difficult to identify correctly. There are exceptions - butterflies, moths and dragonflies do get some recognition, but this only covers a relatively small number of species.

Staffordshire Ecological Record is pleased to be able to produce this checklist, the twentieth in its occasional series of publications, for one of the more economically important groups, the bees wasps and ants, collectively known as Aculeate Hymenoptera. This has only been possible through the work of the two primary authors and an enthusiastic band of amateur and professional entomologists.

At this juncture there are insufficient records to produce a full atlas for Staffordshire (ref. Page 20), but we hope this checklist will stimulate some interest in the group within the recording community in Staffordshire, which may result in an atlas in the future.

As a new venture, this checklist is also being published on the Internet at www.staffs-ecology.org.uk/aculeates where future updates and new records will also be posted, hopefully on at least an annual basis.

G.Craig Slawson (Series Editor)