Butterfly/Moth books?

[Lindsay-c]

I've taken great interest in lepidoptera I have a Collins book on these but the pictures of the larvae aren't photgraphed but drawn/painted kind of pictures.

I also have a complete british wildlife book with photographed butterflies and moths in but not their larvae.

Can anyone recommend a decent book which included photographed pictures of their larva as well as adult form and good information on each species please ?

- Lindsay

[nightshade]

There is a Jim Porter book, Caterpillars of the British Isles, I cannot find it at present but it was reasonably good. A google may throw up some reviews

[aeshna5]

The Porter book mentioned above is the most comprehensive book covering UK butterfly/macro-moth larvae. I believe it's being/been revised.

Another book with colour photos of all UK adult butterfly/ macro moths as well as the largest selection of micro-moths in addition to a large non compehensive number of larval plates is:

British Moths + Butterflies by Chris Manley A + C Black publisher

[artdemole]

Colour Identification to Caterpillars Of The British Isles. A reprint hard back published by appollo books. Author Jim Porter.The price is £73.67 Available from the Bookdepository.co.uk.....

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by artdemole

Colour Identification to Caterpillars Of The British Isles. A reprint hard back published by appollo books. Author Jim Porter.The price is £73.67 Available from the Bookdepository.co.uk.....

Wow- that is expensive. I paid between a third to a half of that some years back- 1st edition!

[Geoff F]

I'm not sure if it is the same book but I was tempted about this NHBS - The Colour Identification Guide to the Caterpillars of the British Isles - Jim Porter which is a bit cheaper.

[Lindsay-c]

Marvellous

Thanks a lot for the suggestions I shall look into these.

and being a student I think £73.67 is pushing it
surely good if it is that price though

[xSarahx]

I have just bought the Jim Porter caterpillar book, and it is great! It is £48 from both Atropos, and Watkins & Doncaster, which is much cheaper than £73!
It shows colour photos of just about every macro moth species as well as giving a paragraph about feeding habits, foodplants and other helpful tips about the species.

If you want photos of adult moths, you can't beat Chris Manley's book - it has all of the macro moths and butterflies, as well as many caterpillars and micros (but not all of them). This is also a really great book. However, I personally find it easier to ID moths from drawings (Paul Waring's book) as it clearly shows waht markings the moths should have, where photos may not highlight every tiny detail of the wing pattern.

For butterflies, if you only like photos, then Chris Manley's book is fine, but a great book with drawings of males and females, wings open and closed, eggs, caterpillars and pupae etc. is Pocket Guide to Butterflies - Richard Lewington

Hope it helped!

[aeshna5]

I certainly agree with all xsarahx's suggestions/points above!

[artdemole]

And me...aDm...Wabaholic...