Peterson Field Guide To Moths Of Northeastern North America: An Essential Illustrated Guide to Thousands of Species with the Peterson Arrow System

by David Beadle, Seabrooke Leckie

There are thousands of moth species in the northeast of North America, and while it might seem that they are all drab grays and browns, there is actually a startling variety. They come in a rainbow of colors, from brilliant oranges and pinks to soft greens and violets. There are moths with colorful leopardlike spots, and ones that look more like B-movie aliens; some that are as large as your hand, and others the size of a grain of rice.

With helpful tips on how to attract and identify moths, range maps and season graphs showing at a glance when and where to find each species, and clear photographs that use the unique Peterson arrow system for easy identification, this guide provides everything an amateur or experienced moth-watcher needs. Let the mothing revolution begin!

Genres: Nature, Field Guides, Nonfiction, Reference, Science, Natural History, Animals

611 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 2012

About the author

David Beadle is a professional freelance bird illustrator with a deep passion for moths. Originally from the UK, he has spent over three decades studying moths, particularly in Ontario, Canada, where he has extensively documented and photographed them in their natural habitats. Dedicated to accurate identification, he emphasizes portraying moths in their natural resting positions. Alongside his work as an illustrator, Beadle has contributed significantly to the study of moths through his field research and photography.

Reviews

[The_Night_Forest]

When I'm able, I take pictures of moths; this is a wonderful reference for identifying the species.

[Carol-Anne]

An amazing reference book I keep close by for identifying those nightly visitors. I had the opportunity to meet moth enthusiast David Beadle (at a moth trap at night) who imparted his passion of moths, their importance, and their decline.

[Margaret Roach]

This amazing reference book opened my eyes to a part of the natural world I would have continued to overlook, the world of moths.

[Earle Baldwin]

Great advance in a true field guide to a very difficult group of insects

[Kimberlie]

An excellent resource for identifying moths! Descriptions include identifying marks, and pictures often include arrows to those marks as well. Includes a very good selection of common moths in Texas, although it was not meant for this area.

[Lindsay Miller]

Puts names to all those faces pressed against the glass at night.

Also the host plants, which is nice. Otherwise not much info, but that's understandable considering how many species they had to cram into the book.

One complaint would be that the photo cutouts tend to obscure the fringed edges of many. Another is that, while it reads "Northeastern North America," the range map view stops at Minnesota in the north and Maine in the east. Say what you mean, guys.

[Jason]

Considering how little we know about many species of moth, the field guide provides a lot of quality information such as range, and caterpillar host plant species, and the photos are good. Still, it would be helpful if there were an identification key in the guide. There is probably not a good key out there, but it would still be helpful.

[Steve LaForest]

Having visited many mothing sites with Dave over the years, I have no hesitation in recommending his outstanding field guide to moths. It is such a vast improvement over earlier guides (which featured pages and pages of black-and-white photographs) that there is literally no comparison. His concise descriptions are invaluable in working your way through the many similar species as you improve your mothing skills.

It truly is amazing to be out at the moth sheet with Dave. He not only identifies every single species - including those that are only a few millimetres long, but he keeps track of how many of each kind were present.

Truly a must-have field guide!

For the enthusiast, you will also want to acquire Dave's more recently-published guides to individual families of moths.