Well known as a worker on predatory insects, particularly flies, and as the editor-in-chief for forty five years (1939 - 1983) of the EMM, a position in which he gave great help and encouragement to many writers about beetles (including myself). Hobby did have an interest in Coleoptera, K.G.V.Smith writing in his obituary in EMM, 119, 1983, pp.179-183: 'He never lost his interest in field work which he would indulge whenever time permitted. He delighted in bringing in the first captures each year. Apart from the Diptera he was particularly fond of searching out rare beetles and the writer of this notice remembers memorable days hunting for the rare and elusive chrysomelid Cryptocephalus primarius. The beetle was not always found but the enjoyment of the day out, the picnic and the chat was what counted. Hobby did publish five notes on Coleoptera including 'Odontaeus armiger in Hants', EMM, 75, 1939, p.174; 'Feeding habits of Pselaphidae', ibid., 79, 1943, p.277; 'Phosphaneous hemipterous in Hants.', ibid., 85, 1949, p.192; and 'Cryptocephalus primarius in Berkshire', ibid., 91, 1955, p.173. ibid., 91, 1955, p.173. Pedersen (2002) pp.126, 128 lists correspondence in the RESL including a box of letters and cards dated 1931-1945. (MD 5/03, 11/09)
Dates
23 October 1905 - 19 July 1983