The Butterflies of Britain & Ireland provides comprehensive coverage of all our resident and migratory butterflies, including the latest information on newly discovered species such as Cryptic Wood White and the Geranium Bronze. When first published in 1991 it won the Natural World Book of the Year Award and won plaudits from all quarters. Fully revised, considerably expanded and reset in 2010, it was judged that year's Guardian Nature Book of the Year. Now revised again to reflect the latest research findings, and with up-to-date distribution maps, this remarkable book is THE guide to the appearance, behaviour, life cycle and ecology of the butterflies of Britain and Ireland.
A donation is made to Butterfly Conservation by the publisher for every copy sold.
Jeremy Thomas, one of europe’s most accomplished butterfly experts, is Professor of Ecology at the University of Oxford, and a Fellow of New College and of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Over almost forty years, Richard Lewington has built up a reputation as one of europe’s finest wildlife illustrators. his meticulous paintings of insects and other wildlife are the mainstay of many of the modern classics of field-guide art, including Collins Butterfly Guide.
"Our greatest butterfly expert, Jeremy Thomas, and leading insect illustrator, Richard Lewington, have joined forces to produce the perfect combination of accurate information, fascinating facts and sheer beauty."
– Stephen Moss, The Guardian
"It's perfect, sometimes anecdotal, and packed with the right information [...]"
– Simon Barnes, The Times
"There is no doubting the veracity of Lewington's paintings, each a true work of art."
– Richard Jones, BBC Wildlife
"Britain's best-loved butterfly book."
– Michael McCarthy, The Independent