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Pyralid and crambid moths are amongst the most studied and readily encountered moths in the British Isles, and include some very attractive species. Whilst many are restricted in distribution within the British Isles, others are ubiquitous; they also feature prominently in migration events and occur as imports. This work represents the first comprehensive review of this popular group of moths since Barry Goater’s British Pyralid Moths (Harley Books, 1986) and brings together a wealth of knowledge about identification, distribution, flight periods and life cycle. Despite all that is known, there is much to learn and the early stages of some species have not yet been found.
This book includes specimens and live photos, representing all the pyralid species to have occurred in Britain and Ireland, plus distribution maps. Furthermore, the book contains critical species diagrams and identification pointers.
Acknowledgements 6
Introduction 9
Taxonomy of the Pyralidae and Crambidae 9
How to use this guide 10
Morphology of pyralid and crambid moths 16
Finding pyralids and crambids 18
Conservation 19
Immigration 20
Additions to the British list 22
Further information sources 24
Bibliography 26
References and further reading 29
Checklist of the Pyralidae and Crambidae of Britain and Ireland 31
Species accounts 37
British species 38
Appendix 1: Adventives, not established 401
Appendix 2: Doubtfully British / Not British 423
Appendix 3: Intercepts 427
Addendum: Stop press 435
Species plates 439
Genitalia figures 461
Male 462
Female 471
Appendix 4: Foodplants
Appendix 5: Vernacular names
Index - Scientific names 502
Index - Vernacular names 506
"[...] Previously, the only publication dealing with these moths in Britain was Barry Goater’s 1986 British Pyralid Moths. It is fair to say that a lot has changed since then! They are now regarded as two separate families and an astonishing 40 new species have been added to the British list since Goater’s publication. Consequently, this new guide by Parsons and Clancy is a very welcome addition to the moth-guide literature of Britain and Ireland. The reader will immediately notice that this new hardback guide is a weighty tome, and anyone consequently hoping for detailed, high-quality content will not be disappointed. [...] The authors have taken time to source excellent quality images of each moth, and many accounts also include images of the larva, feeding damage and habitat. For some of the trickier-to-identify species helpful diagrams point to significant identification features, and there are also useful summaries of key characters for the difficult species groups. [...] This is a thoughtfully laid-out guide, full of detail and illustrated with beautiful images – very fitting for these two interesting and varied families of moths."
– David Hill, British Wildlife 35(5), April 2024
"A must have for anyone interested on pyraloids in Ireland, Great Britain and beyond."
– Matthias Nuss, The Pyraloid Planet
"Will undoubtedly be the standard text for these popular moths for decades to come."
– Richard Fox, Butterfly Conservation
"Highly recommended."
– Colin W. Plant, Entomologists Record
