Colour Identification Guide to the Moths of the British Isles: Macrolepidoptera. 3rd revised edition

by Bernard Skinner, David M. Wilson (Illustrator)

Now re-published with additional and updated text, the third edition of the renowned guide to British macro lepidoptera contains two new plates of additional species plus a further group of colour plates comparing critical species in a new style to aid identification of groups of moths. The last twenty-five years since the publication of the first edition have seen a steady increase in our knowledge of British macro moths, their distribution, history and habits, and this new edition will bring to both the new and experienced student of the group, the latest overview of current status of resident, immigrant and historical records. Since the publication of the second edition very significant changes in behaviour and distribution, perhaps associated with climate change, have made it desirable to update much of the basic text.
The author, Bernard Skinner has once again prepared an updated concise text giving the fullest details available in a single volume of the British and Irish moths. Here are new records, new species to Great Britain and Ireland together with historical information. Once again the concept of a clear range of illustrations, both drawings and colour photographs provide the basis for identifying moths. Together with a text that indicates similar species, are drawings that point towards diagnostic features of similar moths. The main block of forty-five colour plates illustrate the size, complete wing patterns and important forms and variation of moths. New additional plates bring together magnified images of various groups of moths, some separated in the main plates, to help compare similar species and aid identification using in some cases underside illustrations where advantageous. This is a major update of the 2nd edition that has been out of print for the last couple of years.

Genres: Reference

326 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1999

Reviews

[Monty Milne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this beautifully illustrated book is of great aesthetic value, the more up to date field guide by Paul Waring is the better contemporary choice. The biggest disadvantage for the purposes of field identification is that the specimens are all shown with wings extended - Waring shows them with wings folded in the position you are most likely to view them in the moth trap. Nevertheless this book gave me years of pleasure before Waring came out. On a moth night a couple of years ago I was astonished at the facility with which a friend carried out accurate identifications based solely on this book - which I think is an impressive feat.