The illustrated world encyclopedia of butterflies & moths : a natural history and identification guide to the most significant species, including swallowtails, hairstreaks, yellows, fritillaries, blues, skippers and tiger moths

Summary: Adored for their fairy-like beauty and power of flight, butterflies and moths captivate enthusiasts world-wide. As well as being attractive to watch, these exquisite insects are also of huge biological importance. Not only are they useful pollinators, they also act as scientific 'indicators' of changing levels of light, heat and availability of food. Consequently, some species are the subject of intense study to see how well they are adapting to environmental challenges. This book has a photographic reference section that covers the life cycle of these creatures, with detailed descriptions of internal anatomy and the powerful structure of their wings. There is information on classification, as well as close-up anatomical images. A geographical directory profiles over 565 of the world's best-loved and most intriguing butterflies, moths, and their caterpillars, with each entry containing identification notes and quick-reference panels on distribution, habitat, food, and wingspan. Butterflies are immensely variable and some have evolved physical traits to adapt to their habitat or ward off predators.