Waring, P., Townsend, M. and Lewington, R. 2003. Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland. Hook, Hampshire, British Wildlife Publishing. ISBN 1 9531399 1 3.
Softback. 13.5x21.5cm. 432 pages.
Like the other field guides from British Wildlife Publishers,
this book has attained a new level excellence which, let us hope, field guides yet to be published will attempt to emulate
this book has attained a new level excellence which, let us hope, field guides yet to be published will attempt to emulate. To attempt a comprehensive field guide to all the 'macro moths' of the Britain Ireland in a single standard-sized volume was no mean feat; but it has be accomplished with remarkable aplomb.
One of the greatest features of this book is that all the illustrations (by the gifted Richard Lewington) show adult moths in their resting positionsOne of the greatest features of this book is that all the illustrations (by the gifted Richard Lewington) show adult moths in their
resting positions, i.e. in the poses you are most likely to see them; previous field guides had mostly illustrated moths as though 'pinned' as in a collection - a technique which shows all the markings (e.g. those on the hind wings) but can give a misleading impression of the moth's appearance.
The book includes a relatively short introduction to moths including their conservation and techniques for observing them in the field; but the bulk of the book is given over to the individual species accounts. Each of these is remarkably comprehensive covering field characters; similar species; flight season; life cycle; larval foodplants; hatitat; and status & distribution. The species accounts grouped into family sections, each of which starts with an introduction.
With this book at my disposal I have confidently attempted to identify any moth found in my garden and I have largely succeededThe illustrations are collected on 'plates' rather than being found adjacent to the species descriptions, but the problems with this are largely overcome by reliable page cross-referencing both from species account to illustration and
visa versa. With this book at my disposal I have confidently attempted to identify any moth found in my garden and I have largely succeeded. That's just about the highest recommendation it's possible to give a field guide to such a notoriously 'difficult' group of insects as moths.
Simply the most outstanding field-guide to the moths of Britain Ireland.