A useful ID book

[Dannica]

Dear All,
Just a note to anyone (especially beginners, like myself) looking for a good image-based moth ID book, I'd like to recommend:
'British moths and Butterflies; A photographic guide', by Chris Manley.
isbn: 9780713686364
I've only had my copy for a few days, and it is already looking very well thumbed.
Cheers,
Dannie

[Cordaline]

Thanks for your recommendation Dannica.
Most of us seasoned mothing nuts tend to use the:-
Waring, Townsend & Lewington Field Guide the Moths of Great Britain & Ireland.

[MetalMoth]

Personally I don't really like using photographic ID guides as too often the photos in them aren't very good. For moths I think that using the book given above (Waring and Townsend) is excellent. The books illustrations are very good and most of the time it is possible to match a moth to the illustration. However this book is not without its faults and often I have go look at photos online to confirm my ID. So I guess having both books would be the answer, however I have no need of a photo ID book as I have the internet at my disposal!

[exo]

Just starting to have a go at moth trapping & got the smaller version of
Townsend, Waring & Lewington i.e. Concise Guide rather than Field Guide.

Illustrations are really great.

Is there much info missing in this smaller version, if so is it worth getting
the bigger one as well ?

[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

[MetalMoth]

Originally Posted by exo

Just starting to have a go at moth trapping & got the smaller version of
Townsend, Waring & Lewington i.e. Concise Guide rather than Field Guide.

Illustrations are really great.

Is there much info missing in this smaller version, if so is it worth getting
the bigger one as well ?

I have the Concise Guide but have used the main field guide. I actually think that the Concise Guide is much better for identification. It is quicker to find the right page you want as all the illustrations are together in in one block. In the field guide they are separated which is annoying I think. So for ID I would say the Concise guide is better.

The Field Guide is good though. It essentially expands on everything you have in the Concise guide. It gives you information on species habitat requirements and often expands on their description, which can help with ID. The newer second edition of it is great and has photos and information on distribution.

Personally for me at the moment I do not need the Field Guide and so will save my money. The Concise guide is so good for ID.

[Dannica]

Is it actually possible to find these books, and books like them, for less than £30 anywhere? Tried ABE Books, FSC, ebay, amazon. I don't think they exist. I keep checking charity shops in the faint hope one might turn up. Got an Elizabeth Balmer concise guide for £1.98 in a chirty shop.
D

[artdemole]

Try -book depository.co.uk.I find a lot on there...

[exo]

Originally Posted by Dannica

Is it actually possible to find these books, and books like them, for less than £30 anywhere? Tried ABE Books, FSC, ebay, amazon. I don't think they exist. I keep checking charity shops in the faint hope one might turn up. Got an Elizabeth Balmer concise guide for £1.98 in a chirty shop.
D

I just got the Concise Guide from Amazon - it was only just under £12,
seems like very good value, given the quality of info.

MetalMoth - think that's what made me get the Concise version, the pictures
are together with the word, maybe it's worth getting the big version later.

Graham - I guess once you've got a reasonable idea of ID from the books,
there's no subsitute for good ol' google for extra info.
That site you linked has got a stunning range of good photos - thanks for the link

[Dannica]

I don't really trust the google image search when it is for specific species. I know you can look through and see which image comes up most, but I'm always worried I'll get it wrong.
(and I meant 'charity' shop earlier, sorry.)