published in the Annual Bailiwick Entomological Reports and include of course data on the commoner 

 species. These lists are not totally comprehensive however and unfortunately do not always fully convey 

 accurate data. They lack sufficient editing and mistakes often occur when information is transposed from 

 their original sources. This effects localities, dates and gives rise to many misspellings of scientific names. 

 These lists are however major achievements, for they are prepared as spare time permits by the enthusiastic 

 recorders and are useful outlets for distributing information. 



Without a detailed examination of all recorded voucher specimens, it would be impossible to 

 validate all the identifications so far provided. Quite often an accurate determination from voucher material 

 would require dissection, or at least comparison with authoritatively identified collections. On only rare 

 occasions it has been stated in the literature that specimens had been dissected, or that they had received 

 external examination from an authoritative source. It would seem that most species identifications had been 

 made by the recorders concerned. Several given identifications may therefore be debatable, especially if they 

 were based on field sightings alone, or just on hearsay (e.g. Parnassius apollo and Colias alfacariensis). 

 Verification is still required for many species known only from old records. A considerable number may be 

 questionable, especially when closely related, or just similar looking species are involved. These problematic 

 species warrant closer inspection. Throughout the moth groups there are many examples of entire families, 

 or at least genera and many individual species, where dissections and comparative examinations of the 

 external reproductive organs would be a necessity to arrive at accurate identifications. Without dissection 

 and possibly also definitive verification, many species identifications involved could well be regarded as 

 assumptions. 



On Jersey the attempt is presently underway to produce updated and hopefully, a comprehensive 

 listing of the fauna of the Channel Islands. With the extensive databases now available, it should also be 

 possible to convey accurate information on distribution and status of the species concerned. 



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