This is the first comprehensive photo-illustrated guide to the caterpillars of butterflies and macro-moths. The book illustrates over 850 different species, or about 95% of resident, extinct, regular or irregular immigrant species to the British Isles. All specimens are photographed in natural situations upon the relevant foodplants, including many varieties indigenous to continental Europe. Many of the species have never been illustrated as caterpillars before, either by artwork or by photography. This work has received unreserved support from the best and most competent entomologists. Though the book illustrates British species, it is most valuable for lepidopterists all over Europe and especially in North and Central Europe. Never before have so many superb colour photographs of Lepidoptera been brought together in a book. After Preface, Acknowledgements, Introduction, and List of larvae required for photographs, the systematic part with descriptions of the species follows. The text is for each species divided into the following chapters: Larva, with description; Foodplant; Habits, incl. information on how to breed the species. The book should appeal to anyone with an interest in European Macrolepidoptera.

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.

'A much-needed guide – you can't truly understand a moth or a butterfly without first getting to know the caterpillar.' – Nick Baker This beautifully illustrated field guide covers caterpillars of the moth and butterfly species that are most likely to be encountered in the British Isles. The comprehensive introduction covers how to study caterpillars and provides a window into their diverse natural histories, while the species accounts cover status, field characters, similar species, habitat, foodplant and field notes, and are accompanied with up-to-date distribution maps.

The last 25 years have seen a steady increase in knowledge of British macro moths' distribution, history, and habits. This third edition - now published by Apollo Books - brings together the latest overview of current status of resident, and immigrant moths, as well as historical records. Very significant changes in behavior and distribution, perhaps associated with climate change, have made it desirable to update much of the basic text. The book includes species to new Great Britain and Ireland, as well as historical information. A clear range of illustrations, both drawings and color photographs, provide the basis for identifying moths. The main block of 45 color 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.

Third edition of the most comprehensive and authoritative guide to the larger moths of Great Britain and Ireland. This latest edition of the Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland has been fully revised, updated and restructured, bringing it in line with the latest thinking in taxonomy. Moths are illustrated in their natural resting postures, and there are also paintings of different forms, underwings and other details to help with identification. New descriptions and illustrations have been included for species that have been newly recorded in Britain and Ireland since the last edition of the guide was published. The text descriptions of all other species – covering field characters and similar species, flight season, life cycle, larval foodplants, and habitat – have been revised and updated where necessary, and particular attention has been paid to updating the distribution information, which is now supported by maps. The revised general introduction explains how the methods of identifying and recording moths have evolved over recent years with the advent of new technologies and as a result of data analysis.

'A much-needed guide – you can't truly understand a moth or a butterfly without first getting to know the caterpillar.' – Nick Baker This beautifully illustrated field guide covers caterpillars of the moth and butterfly species that are most likely to be encountered in the British Isles. The comprehensive introduction covers how to study caterpillars and provides a window into their diverse natural histories, while the species accounts cover status, field characters, similar species, habitat, foodplant and field notes, and are accompanied with up-to-date distribution maps.

This group of geometrid moths (in the genera Eupithecia, Chloroclystis, Pasiphila and Gymnoscelis) comprises perhaps the most difficult of the macrolepidoptera to identify with confidence, and knowledge of them is consequently uneven. In this long-awaited, new and extensively illustrated work, the authors describe the characters and biology of all stages of the 52 species from Britain and Ireland, with individual maps showing their known distribution on a vice-county basis. Particular emphasis is placed on the identification of confusible species and work individuals. The wing-patterns are illustrated in detailed black-and-white drawings to show the main diagnostic features, as are the larvae and genitalia of every species. The adults are depicted in three sets of colour plates: two of set specimens, first, in their systematic order and then with similar species grouped together for easier comparison; the third of moths in their natural postures in a series of 60 superb colour photographs. The introductory chapters contain details of “How to use this book”; and provide an “Historical review of the species”; there is also a chapter on “Breeding and rearing pugs”. Appendixes cover “Foodplants and associated larvae”; a Table of Phenology; and a Glossary. The book concludes with a comprehensive Bibliography, and a full Index including synonymies.