This concise photographic field guide helps you to identify the day-flying moths most likely to be seen in Great Britain and Ireland. It combines stunning photographs, clear and authoritative text and an easy-to-use design to increase your knowledge and enjoyment of these intriguing and often colourful insects. Like butterflies, some moths fly regularly in sunshine, whereas others that usually fly at night are readily disturbed from their resting places during the day. Britain's Day-Flying Moths describes all of these species and features at least one photograph of each in its natural, resting pose. A brief description of each moth covers the key identification features and when and where to look for it, and includes information on its status, life history, special features and caterpillar food plants. Other sections explain how to distinguish moths from butterflies, and also provide essential information on biology, classification, habitats, gardening for moths, conservation and legislation and recording and monitoring.
- Individual accounts for 158 species and photos of 28 others
- More than 320 stunning photos, with every moth shown as you see it
- Beautifully designed, easy to use and clearly written
David Newland is an emeritus professor of engineering at Cambridge University and has had a lifelong interest in butterflies and moths. Robert Still is publishing director of WILDGuides and a prolific natural history author. Andy Swash is managing director of WILDGuides and a well-known wildlife photographer and author. The three are also coauthors of Britain's Butterflies (Princeton WILDGuides).
"[...] By focussing on this selected group of moths over the entire group, numbering over 2,500 species, the book is accessible for the enthusiastic naturalist who hasn’t made the leap to the expensive world of moth-trapping. That should not be seen as if it would only appeal to beginners though, as it includes topics such as the tantalising and more specialised world of clearwing pheromones, which is covered in detail [...] Is every moth that one could conceivably encounter during daylight covered? Of course not, but that shouldn’t prevent a budding lepidopterist from getting a lot out this charming book."
– BTO book reviews, Rob Jaques
Reviews of the first edition:
"As is usual with the WildGuides books, this is a well-thought and user-friendly guide. [...] Highly recommended."
– BTO book reviews
"[...] Who will buy the book? Certainly many of the thousands who are already keen butterfly addicts and curious to know what other four-winged beauties are passing through their gaze! This book may attract another wave of natural-history enthusiasts into the mothing arena who, up to now, were perhaps put off by a rather daunting glance at one of the more traditional (but often excellent) moth field guides already published. It may also appeal to birders looking for another interest during the midsummer avian hiatus. Keen lepidopterists will already know most of the species dealt with, but will appreciate the book's convenient format and ease of reference when not squinting into a moth trap in the dead of night. It is a small shame that the book did not arrive before the late autumn as most buyers will now have to wait until next spring to put it to the test, but I am sure they will enjoy it when they do!"
– Steve Whitehouse, www.birdguides.com, Wednesday 2nd October 2013