DELTA, AN INVALUABLE COMPUTER-PROGRAM FOR GENERATION OF TAXONOMIC MONOGRAPHS

DELTA (DEscription Language for TAxonomy), a computer program develope d for botanists for the generation of taxonomic output and interactive identification, is not yet widely used by entomologists. DELTA is a f lexible and versatile program that entomological systematists could us e readily. We developed a data set for the computer generation of taxo nomic descriptions for monographs on the genus Bagous Germar, the firs t such data set that has been developed for studies of Curculionidae. Use of DELTA is discussed and elaborated with examples from our work. Portions of the data set presented here provide a basis for clarificat ion of DELTA documentation to aid others. DELTA can be used to develop expert systems for identification, which will become more popular and more widely useable as high-end computer systems become more affordab le. A sample description and key are provided to illustrate results th at can be generated. Detailed examples about data format illustrate as pects of DELTA that will permit readers to understand the limitations and basic uses of DELTA.