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THE REDUVIIDAE (“ASSASSIN BUGS”) is one of the largest and most biologically diverse families of the hemipteran suborder Heteroptera. All reduviids are predaceous (members of one subfamily, Triatominae, feed on vertebrate blood and are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes ChagasÕ disease), and most are rather general predators, as far as is known. Despite the groupÕs abundance, the bugsÕ large size, and the variety of their ecological and biological habits, reduviids have been remarkably little studied. Although the taxonomy of some regionsÕ Reduviidae is known (Holarctic, for example; but Old World tropics very poorly known), almost nothing (with few exceptions) has been published on these bugsÕ biology since ReadioÕs treatise (1927, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull. 17; North American reduviids) and the considerably more general account in N.C.E. MillerÕs misleadingly titled “The Biology of the Heteroptera” (the great majority of which is devoted to Reduviidae) (2 ed., 1971, E.W. Classey, England). The major exception is a large amount of Þne work from southern India, beginning with that of David Livingstone and continuing with the work of several of his students and that of several of theirs. This work, and much of the work from elsewhere in the world, has been summarized and analyzed in this book by Dunston Ambrose, himself a major contributor to what we know (taxonomically, biologically, and ecologically) about south-Indian Reduviidae. The 25 chapters in this book cover all aspects of Reduviidae, as the bookÕs seven sections suggest: Biosystematics, Ecology, Biology, Structure and Function, Behaviour, Economic Importance (includes “Conservation and Augmentation” and “Biological Control Potential”chapters). Phylogeny; a concluding chapter, and “Recommendations,” lists in two pages those areas of research most needing attention. The great majority of the 780 references is to work by the author, his mentors, and his students. This emphasis does not reßect bias but, rather, the fact that most of the nontaxonomic work on Reduviidae has been done (and is being done) by these people. Of speciÞc interest are several color plates of quite colorful reduviids mating or feeding on equally colorful prey. Of considerable value, in my opinion, is the 12-page list of bugs and prey species. Indeed, throughout the book data on the details of life histories and biologies are presented in tables, allowing easy comparisons among reduviid species and among habitat types. The book brings together a remarkable amount of information, and presents it in ways easy to use. Discussion of the information is a little limited, and some (myself included) will take some exception to some of the phylogenetic speculation. But the book presents the reader with a wealth of information that can be used in many ways. Not least of these ways is the potential of reduviids in biological control, a subjectonwhichDr.Ambrose isperhaps the leading authority, and a subject to which he has devoted considerable space in this book. Reduviidae is the only major group of predaceous Heteroptera whose biocontrol potential has not been closely examined. This is surprising, because the group is large (third largest in the suborder), diverse, occurs everywhere; and its members are large and presumably eat a lot (see Schaefer 1988, Biocovas 1, Madras). If this book stimulates further work on Reduviidae, it will have served a Þne purpose. If it stimulateswork on the use of these bugs in biological control, the book will have served a highly practical purpose. I recommend it therefore not only to all students of Heteroptera, but to anyone interested in learning about a neglected groupof possible biocontrol insects. Disclaimer. Emblazoned in red across the cover of this book is “Reviewed by Carl W. Schaefer.” I did review the manuscript for the publisher (indeed, I recommended to the author that he expand into this book the chapter he wrote for “Heteroptera of Economic Importance” [2000, Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press], edited by A.R. Panizzi and me). But I did not expect the fact of my fairly routine review for the publisher to be trumpeted forth in red. I mention this with becoming modesty, and in fairness. I thought the book was good then, and I think so now.

Assassin Bugs - Dunston P. Ambrose, Science Publishers, Enfield, New Hampshire, 1999, 337 pp., Price not given, ISBN 1-57808-030-4