Philip's Guide to Butterflies of Britain & Ireland begins with a valuable introduction to butterflies, explaining the differences between butterflies & moths, the life cycle & structure of butterflies, their movement & migration patterns, & helpful information on the distribution & habitats of the main family groups so that readers will know at a glance which species they are likely to see & where
- useful for both identification purposes & for those readers who want to find a specific species. The introductory section finishes with information for gardeners, detailing which plants to grow & when. Each section is illustrated with diagrams & photographs. There then follows an illustrated key to the main family groups, detailing principal physical & flight characteristics, as well as other key information to aid identification. The next section consists of 60 specific species descriptions. These comprise detailed identification notes for both adult & young stages, information on life cycle, habitat & behaviour, & distribution & status
- all accompanied by life-cycle artwork & time charts, a distribution map & a large colour photograph. Finishing with photographs & information on the most common day-flying moths, Philip's Guide to Butterflies of Britain & Ireland is an essential guide for both experienced naturalists & newcomers to the subject.