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Publishing the museum publications is a continuing tradition in the long existence of this national institution. They are the records of numerous museological and scientific discoveries, exhibitions and other manifestations.

The start of publishing activities of Natural History Museum is dated to 1903. At the beginning the Museum of Serbian Land published smaller contributions on fauna, flora and gea. The first texts were printed in the journals Lovac, Nastavnik and Prosvetni glasnik (Hunter, Teacher, Educational Journal, respectively), the only recognized journals at the time.

The first special edition was prepared and printed in 1903 by the famous malacologist and the first Director of Museum of Serbian Land Petar S. Pavlović, under the title: Wallcreeper (Trichodroma muraria L.).

The Special Issues were not numbered until No.7. The Special Editions were not titled that way until No.25, and the listed publisher was Museum of Serbian Land (until No.23) or Natural History Museum of Serbian Land (24-25). Starting with No.26, the edition includes the name of the publisher (Natural History Museum in Belgrade) and the title “Specijalno izdanje” (Special Issue). No.37 is named Supplemental/Special Issue, while No.38 and No.39 have the title “Posebno izdanje/Special issue”.

After a long six-year pause, Special Issues of Natural History Museum started to be published again in 2007. The two Special Issues were: "Butterflies (Lepidoptera, Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea) from the collection of the Natural History Museum in Belgrade" by Ljiljana Anđus, and "Photography as a museum object" by Mila Karas.

Special Editions of Natural History Museum in Belgrade, 2011, tome 43

160 years after the beginning of research on Heteroptera in Serbia, there is a book dedicated to this particular order of insects. This book is a result of several decades of work by curator-entomologist at the Natural History Museum. The book includes the history of research on Heteroptera in Serbia, their fossil remains, morphology, classification, description of certain species, their habitats, biogeographical position, diet types, communication (music and stridulation), as well as losses and gains to human economy caused by certain species. The greatest part of the book is dedicated to collections of Heteroptera stored at the National History Museum. They include all specimens from the initial collection (the first specimen is from 1904), collections by Nikola Kormilev and Petar Novak, as well as the Study Collection. The total number of included species is 1034. They are presented in 41 table charts, and the last column shows the country of origin for each species. The fauna of Serbia includes representatives of 35 families of Heteroptera. The present list includes 835 species in Serbia. Within this book there are 126 photographs, sketches, morphological details, portraits of old entomologists. This book will remain renowned for the perfect illustrations of Heteroptera prepared by entomologist Aleksandar Stojanović. There are 180 original drawing illustrations, made so precisely that even the smallest morphological details are clearly visible, and they will be of great help for identification.

There is a special chapter presenting the species important for economy. Some of the discussed important phytophagous species include pests on cereals, Eurygaster spp (Scutelleridae) and Aelia spp. (Pentatomidae), as well as species from families Rhopalidae and Lygaeidae, which feed not only on plant sap but also on seeds. Some species from family Tingidae are phytophagous pests on many decorative tree species in parks and alleys. The typical example is Corythuca ciliata Say. Many species of Heteroptera are important predators on pest insects and mites, for example representatives of families Anthocoridae, Pentatomidae: Asopinae, Nabidae. Certain species of Miridae are particularly beneficial as they feed on aphids and aphid eggs, so they are successfully used in biological control. Some ectoparasite Heteroptera, such as the hematophages from families Cimicidae and Reduviidae, are known transmitters of infectious diseases (chagas, hepatitis B, HIV, yellow fever). The book includes a detailed account on cooperation with the experts on Heteroptera from throughout the world. There is a list of international associations and past congresses where knowledge and experiences are exchanged and new ideas and guidelines for individual work are developed. The last chapter is bibliography with 508 references.

(in Serbian)

Summary (PDF)

Within its publishing activity, since 2007 the Natural History Museum has started a new edition – YEARBOOK – 365 days of the Natural History Museum. The form of the Yearbook includes data on all tasks, activities and events in one calendar year: news, information on curators’ results (new data for the collection, new sites, new record for global science, for Serbia and for Balkans), arranging the collections, academic upward mobility (Magister and Doctor Theses, expert exams), published works, participation at meetings, popularization in media, activities of the Library, innovations in interactive work with visitors, promotions and presentations.

The goal of starting the Yearbook is to leave a permanent document on activities of present employees of Natural History Museum, which deserve to be left for future. The strategic goal of improving the activities of the Museum, through use of modern museological strivings at global level, is demanding a high-quality, objective evaluation of activities of all employees. This concept of the Annual report completely fulfills this premise.

(in Serbian)

Authors

(in Serbian)

Price: 350,- RSD