The first stage in taxonomy, viz. the descriptive stage which is concerned with the characterisation and naming of species. An example of a taxonomic exercise at the alpha level is:
Hines, J.S., 1911. New species of Diptera of the genus Erax. - The Ohio Naturalist 11(6): 307-311.
The next two stages in taxonomy are systematising (beta taxonomy) and evolutionary studies (gamma taxonomy).
Anyone has "Chironomidae of the Holarctic region. Keys and diagnoses. Part 3. Adult Males Entomologica Scandinavica Supplement 34"?
smolwaarneming@gma il.com
Does someone has a scan of Nartshuk E.P. 2003. Key to families of Diptera (Insecta) of the fauna of Russian and adjacent countries. Proceedings of the Zoological Institute Vol. 294: 1-252 for me?