United States
£ GBP
For the first time ever, the butterfly diversity of this little-known Central American country is revealed. This is the first book for the region that covers all the known species in each of the six families, for a single country. Furthermore, the material (photos and information) presented in the book originates entirely from Honduras, including concise text for each species, wing measurements, elevations, habits, and more. It presents over 300 previously undocumented species, several of which are new to science. Presented are hundreds of stunning, high-quality images of living specimens, complimented with museum specimens. The book also highlights special areas to visit, including the Emerald Valley International Butterfly Center, which alone harbours 704 species.
Robert Gallardo was born and raised in California. At the early age of eleven his passion for nature was ignited, especially for butterflies. After graduating from Humboldt State University in 1992, with a degree in Natural Resource Planning and Interpretation, he joined the Peace Corps and served three years in Honduras. He has resided there ever since, dedicating his life to the investigation and sustainable use of Honduras’
finite resources. He eventually became the country’s leading expert on its avifauna and ended up writing and self-publishing two bird guides. He also trained the country's bird-watching guides and has led international tours since 2000.
Olivia Diaz is originally from the village of Magdalena, Lempira, Honduras. She met Robert in late 2012 and joined forces to work on and complete the bird guides. She graduated in 2020 from the Metropolitana University with a degree in Ecotourism. They began working in earnest on the Guide to the Butterflies of Honduras in early 2016 and quickly discovered several new species for science. Since 2015 they have resided on
fifty acres of rainforest at Emerald Valley, home to over 700 species of butterflies.
"What an opportunity Robert brings to Honduras in showcasing birds in his first fleld guide and then butterflies. These books pave the way to a big boost in nature tourists eager to experience the species diversity Honduras has to offer. I can’t wait to return!"
– Linda F. Cooper
"Robert and Olivia's love of butterflies is evident in their new book. It is a labor of love that butterfly enthusiasts will treasure for generations to come. Thanks to their passion and dedication, we now have a better understanding of the butterflies of Honduras and their importance in the natural world."
– Robert Gilson
"This is a book that really speaks for itself. It’s a testimony to the amazing diversity of butterflies in Honduras, and to the love and dedication of Robert and Olivia who created it."
– Pamela sai Donaldson
