A useful ID book

Deb London · #11 (**permalink**) 26-08-2011, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Barker

that would depend on the info you want to know i suppose....i have both books mentioned during this post and find having both very useful for cross referencing,, sometimes i find the pics in one better than the other, so they both help with i.d....though i always start with the Townsend/Waring book.

if i need more info that neither book has then i usually refer to the internet...ask in this forum is always a good start...if its an image you want i usually start with google and click on the 'image' button, usually provides lots...or ukmoths....

recently i was given this website Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa that deals with the moths and butterflies of uk and europe...but is very good...though i have found that placing a moth in to a family helps on this one...

graham

Nice recommendation Graham. Ta.

I tend to agree with Graham, Dannica. And these days I very rarely use books (unless travelling without internet access). I often use the UKMoths site (largely because it has micros as well as macros), where I rely on "thumbnails", but this site by no means represents all variations of each species, and can leave you confused. All part of the fun I guess.

MetalMoth · #12 (**permalink**) 26-08-2011, 09:58 AM

Whilst I agree that using photos is a good way of identifiying something I think you HAVE to use books for moths. They give descriptions which help you look for the key features on the wings. Also you get a LOT of bad photos on the internet which can also be mis-identified.

Dannica · #13 (**permalink**) 27-08-2011, 03:53 PM

Which ID books are good in the 'describing wing detail' etc. area? Mine only lists foodplants and when and where the moth might be seen. And it only occasionally mentions specific constants and variations of a single black spot or white border.
Ta,
D