From the author and B.A.B.I. board member Marc E. Epstein about his book "Moths, Myths, and Mosquitoes: The Eccentric Life of Harrison G. Dyar, Jr." published by Oxford University Press, 2016

Published on Thursday, 16 June 2016 23:35

This book is an expression of my sense of wonder regarding the accomplishments of Harrison G. Dyar, Jr. (1866–1929), perhaps the most significant insect systematist of his era.

Inside the covers you’ll find many of his contributions. These have been largely forgotten, buried beneath stories of tunnel digging, bigamy, and his battles with fellow entomologists. My goal as the author was to assist in separating fact from fiction about this legendary figure, while giving you a sense of Dyar's passionate pursuit of scientific truth. He indeed contributed far more to the building the collection of the United States National Museum than credited, as well as our understandings of the classification of insects based on all stages of metamorphosis.

Marc E. Epstein, PhD, Senior Insect Biosystematist, Plant Pest Diagnostics Branch, California Department of Food & Agriculture