Best book for Butterfly/Moth ID's?

[Neil UK]

What would people recommend as THEE best book for Butterfly and Moth identification....

Really starting to get interested

[earthdragon64]

For Macro Moths, Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain, by Waring, Townsend and Lewington, is the best in my opinion. There is also a concise guide, which is basically the same book in smaller format with a bit less text. It is easier to use in the field, but the full guide has more detailed text, I use both.

British Moths and Butterflies by Chris Manley isn't as comprehensive as Waring, but does have some of the more common Micros.

For Butterflies, I like "Britain's Butterflies" by David Tomlinson and Rob Still. It's one of the Wild Guides series and as well as photos of the Butterflies, in various colour forms if they exist, it also has photos of the eggs, larvae and pupae.

[Neil UK]

Very informative, thank you. Will get looking online for those now.

[Nicola Main]

Definitely agree with Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland by Waring, Townsend and Lewington and British Moths and Butterflies by Chris Manley. I would also suggest the Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland by Richard Lewington (it's along the same lines as the first book mentioned and shows every part of the life cycle).

[RobSutton]

There are two websites I find really useful for the moths - both with excellent photographs - Hants Moths and UK Moths. If you put them into Google I'm sure you'll find them.

As to books I can only echo what the others have said - all are excellent recommendations. The Chris Manley book British Moths and Butterflies is a photo guide which helps if you're not quite sure after using the really nice drawings used in Waring, Townsend and Lewington.

[Susie]

UKButterflies is simply the best online resource as far as butterflies are concerned.