Butterflies & Moths: The Clearest Recognition Guide Available

DK Smithsonian Handbooks

by David Carter, Frank Greenaway (Photographer)

With over 600 stunning, full-color photographs of over 500 species of butterflies and moths, this is the most beautiful and clear guide to the identification of these fantastic flying insects. Even an amateur enthusiast will be able to spot different species like an expert entomologist.

Each entry combines a precise description of the featured butterfly or moth species with annotated photographs to show its chief characteristics and distinguishing features, from ingenious camouflage to signature eyespots to distinctive larval forms and cocoon structures. It is accompanied by a map of the animal’s geographical range, as well as color-coded bands with at-a-glance facts specific to the species.

In addition to the species-by-species guide, the book contains a fascinating overview of this whole unique order of insects, from the habitats and plants they rely on to survive in the wild, to the details of their distinctive metamorphosis, to the ways ordinary people can distinguish between these similar-looking creatures.

The book is published by Dorling Kindersley in association with the eminently authoritative Smithsonian Institution, and is written by David Carter, who works at the Natural History Museum, London, and has been specializing in moths and butterflies for nearly four decades. It is designed to appeal to beginners and established enthusiasts alike.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Animals, Science, Nature

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful compendium of photographs of butterflies and moths, ideal for learning how to distinguish different species, the differences between butterflies and moths, providing a wealth of detail and info about habitat and location.

[Quirkyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another wonderful DK field guide. And I do plan on getting the updated version as a companion to this.

Even though this edition was from 28 years ago it still has plenty of good information. Alas, some of the butterflies mentioned in this book might be extinct or could be on the endangered species list.

Familiarize yourself with some of these insects and be surprised by what you see on your next walk.

[sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i got this book from the library, mainly to use it as reference for art, and also to read because i love bugs.

i really enjoyed how much detail it went into each each specific family and patterns of each butterfly and moth. there was so much amazing information and it made my brain very happy

i think now, i must find a book on snails and slugs, and my life will be utterly complete

some of my favorite ones:
• green dragon tail
• hornet moth
• golden clear wing
• bent-wooing ghost moth
• spanish moth
• zodiac moth
• common imperial blue
• tiger pierid
• common club tail
• zebra swallow tail
• hercules moth

[OneDayI'll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grabbed from the library because I've seen some unusual wing remains in my yard and I wanted to identify them. What I thought was a butterfly wing was actually a moth wing. It was very vibrantly colored. The book was very informative. Habitats, food sources, attractants, identification for both caterpillars and the adult forms and when to look for them.

[Rehaan C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helped me learn a LOT more. 4 stars because it has given me the plight of recognizing butterflies on graphic designs. I feel like a nerd(bad).

[Erin Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love Florida

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

My neighbor gave me this book to help me identify the butterflies we see around my butterfly bush. Very informative!

[Becky Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book on butterflies and moths. Very informative and great picture examples. Would recommend for anyone interested in butterflies

[Recensioni in tre parole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accurato. Metodico. Scrupoloso.

[annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hasta el momento se han descubierto 170,000 variedades de mariposas y polillas, el autor estima que quedan por identificar un numero igual en el futuro.

El autor ha desarrollado un concepto que hace útil este volumen. Gran parte de este libro es una guía de campo que muestra 5 familias de mariposas y 22 de polillas que son las mas comunes en el mundo. Incluye mas de 600 fotografías a color y con detalles, esto hace que sirva para identificar fácilmente a esa mariposa que vuela en tu jardín.

Cada especie viene bellamente ilustrada con las alas extendidas y un mapa que muestra donde habita dicha especie. Algunas especies también tienen ilustraciones de ambos lados de las alas, orugas y otras vistas distintivas.

Se pueden conocer las diferencias entre mariposas y polillas, los detalles de los ciclos de vida de estos insectos, cómo observarlos mejor y consejos para construir un jardín que atraiga la mayor población posible. Al final del libro se enumeran algunos de los muchos jardines que puede visitar y que están poblados por colecciones de mariposas vivas. Me han parecido muy divertidos y muy relajantes. Tienes que reducir la velocidad para disfrutar de las mariposas.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent reference. Terrific photos. May be more book than the causal butterfly finder needs.

[Betsy Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very useful book - I got to see what the gypsy moth caterpillar grown up looks like

[Robert Allan Wragg]

Interesting and very good pictures and good info about them both.