Until now, individuals wishing to identify British insects have had to choose between the difficult-to-find specialist keys published in obscure literature, and the misleadingly simplistic popular guides, which cover only a fraction of the species. This book bridges the gap, providing expert guidance through the taxonomic maze. This resource contains an introduction to each group of organisms, as well as over 2,000 references selected as being the most useful and up to date for accurate identification, together with notes on their relevance and coverage. An additional chapter covers the understanding and retrieval of scientific references, with advice on using libraries and other information services. This will be an essential reference book for anyone involved in insect and arachnid identification.