This book is a handy guide to the identification of the True Butterflies (Papilionoidea) of the world at least to genus level. It is a condensed version of the Concise Atlas of Butterflies of the World (published in 2001). All known butterfly families are represented.
An introductory section contains information about the biology of the butterfly, life history, migration, distribution, insect diseases, classification, aberrations and more.
The main part of the book consists of 144 plates with more than 6400 accurate colour illustrations at approximately 60% of natural size. At least one species for most of the known genera is shown. The most up-todate taxonomy was used in the brief, authoritative text that accompanies each plate, showing the number of known species in the genus and the distributions of the species. The book is arranged according to 5 faunal regions, and follows as closely as possible the taxonomic sequences within those faunal regions.
Beautifully produced, this book is an indispensable quick reference for any serious butterfly enthusiast.
Notes for the Guidance of the Reader; Introduction: The Biology of the Butterfly: Its place in Nature, A Moth & a Butterfly, Metamorphosis, Life History, Respiration: Circulation: Venation, Senses & Habits: The Nervous System, Migration, Distribution, Activity, Reproduction, Insect Diseases, Variation: Nomenclature, Classification, Aberrations; The Systematic Text: Australian Region, Oriental Region, Holarctic Region, Afrotropical Region; Colour plates: Australian Region, Oriental Region, Holarctic Region, Afrotropical Region, Neotropical Region; Index.
Bernard d'Abrera is a world-renowned butterfly and moth expert at the British Museum (Natural History) in London and a fellow with the International Society for Complexity, Information and Design (ISCID). Over the years he has produced many visually stunning books on the lepidoptera indigenous to various regions of the world. In 1982 Bernard d'Abrera and his wife Lucilla, founded Hill House Publishers, as a means of taking under their control all stages of production of his books, in order to develop and improve the finished quality of the final work. Bernard d'Abrera is responsible for almost 100 per cent of the illustrations as well as the text in his volumes on butterflies and moths.