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Butterflies
This visual feast reveals a multitude of butterfly and moth species from around the globe.
Here are some of the most colorful, spectacular and sometimes weird examples of the world's butterflies and moths. From the common swallowtail to the iridescent blue morpho, Thomas Marent's stunning photographs provide a close-up view of the remarkable family of insects known as Lepidoptera. The macro photography complements the enlightening text written by zoologist Ronald Orenstein, who explains the scientific curiosities of these amazing insects. He makes clear how to differentiate between butterflies and moths; how caterpillars camouflage themselves; and how their feeding strategies and evolutionary adaptations help them prevail in the wild.
Examples include such seldom-seen species as the green dragontail (Indonesia), Mexican kite-swallowtail (Costa Rica), the alpine black swallowtail (China) and European sulphurs. Among the many anatomical characteristics profiled are the purpose and differences between butterfly and moth antennae (smell, communication and feel); how some butterflies are amazing mimics, appearing to the untrained eye as nectar-feeding hummingbirds; and how the patterns on their wings, depending on the species, may be spots that make the insects look like larger critters to their predators.
Here are some of the most colorful, spectacular and sometimes weird examples of the world's butterflies and moths. From the common swallowtail to the iridescent blue morpho, Thomas Marent's stunning photographs provide a close-up view of the remarkable family of insects known as Lepidoptera. The macro photography complements the enlightening text written by zoologist Ronald Orenstein, who explains the scientific curiosities of these amazing insects. He makes clear how to differentiate between butterflies and moths; how caterpillars camouflage themselves; and how their feeding strategies and evolutionary adaptations help them prevail in the wild.
Examples include such seldom-seen species as the green dragontail (Indonesia), Mexican kite-swallowtail (Costa Rica), the alpine black swallowtail (China) and European sulphurs. Among the many anatomical characteristics profiled are the purpose and differences between butterfly and moth antennae (smell, communication and feel); how some butterflies are amazing mimics, appearing to the untrained eye as nectar-feeding hummingbirds; and how the patterns on their wings, depending on the species, may be spots that make the insects look like larger critters to their predators.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 30, 2015
384 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 15, 2015
The illustrated world encyclopedia of Butterflies
This book is full of magnificent images of butterflies and caterpillars in color, and the text is scholarly and very educational for both school children and also adults. The photographs offer a close-up view of these remarkable creatures adored for their beauty and variety. The authors explain the latest scientific discoveries on a variety of topics that include the impact of the global warming on their population; widespread use of insecticides and pesticides on butterfly and caterpillar habitat; annual migration; the evolution of beautiful patterns of butterfly wings; why male and not female suck mineral from the soil; biological features that help them navigate across continents; and how to care for the butterfly population around the globe. While stressing the biological importance, we also learn some fascinating features about them; they have eyes that can look in all directions; taste with their feet, and can migrate as much as 3,000 miles every year.
This book is discussed in several chapters and one chapter is devoted each of the six families of butterflies; the swallowtails, skippers, whites and yellows, metal-marks, brush-footed butterflies, and gossamer-winged butterflies. Other chapters deal with anatomy and biology of butterfly wings, their life history, their food, the habitats of butterflies, and the ecology of moths. The book is not technical but is written for all readers interested in the biology and ecology of butterflies.
This book is full of magnificent images of butterflies and caterpillars in color, and the text is scholarly and very educational for both school children and also adults. The photographs offer a close-up view of these remarkable creatures adored for their beauty and variety. The authors explain the latest scientific discoveries on a variety of topics that include the impact of the global warming on their population; widespread use of insecticides and pesticides on butterfly and caterpillar habitat; annual migration; the evolution of beautiful patterns of butterfly wings; why male and not female suck mineral from the soil; biological features that help them navigate across continents; and how to care for the butterfly population around the globe. While stressing the biological importance, we also learn some fascinating features about them; they have eyes that can look in all directions; taste with their feet, and can migrate as much as 3,000 miles every year.
This book is discussed in several chapters and one chapter is devoted each of the six families of butterflies; the swallowtails, skippers, whites and yellows, metal-marks, brush-footed butterflies, and gossamer-winged butterflies. Other chapters deal with anatomy and biology of butterfly wings, their life history, their food, the habitats of butterflies, and the ecology of moths. The book is not technical but is written for all readers interested in the biology and ecology of butterflies.
November 13, 2015
This coffee table style book is a gorgeous volume filled with beautiful full-color photography and text. While primarily aimed at those with an interest in nature and science, this is also a resource that can be enjoyed by anyone, from nature expert to novice.
The book begins with a general introduction to butterflies as a species, with further chapters going into more detail on individual butterfly families and their life cycles. Covered are topics such as life history; wing shape, color, and patterns; what butterflies eat; butterfly environments; and effects of climate change to name a few.
The text is informative and interesting, but what really shines are the accompanying photos on each page. The text is white on black glossy paper, enhancing the presentation of the photos. This is as much a photography book as a text on butterflies.
I am familiar with only the common butterflies such as Swallowtails, Monarchs, and Skippers, and found the wealth of detail presented fascinating. The format used makes it easy to absorb new information. Many of us are visual learners; I know I am. Seeing the photo along with the text reinforces the information I have just read.
Butterfiles is a treasure trove of information and a handy reference guide to be consulted again and again.
The book begins with a general introduction to butterflies as a species, with further chapters going into more detail on individual butterfly families and their life cycles. Covered are topics such as life history; wing shape, color, and patterns; what butterflies eat; butterfly environments; and effects of climate change to name a few.
The text is informative and interesting, but what really shines are the accompanying photos on each page. The text is white on black glossy paper, enhancing the presentation of the photos. This is as much a photography book as a text on butterflies.
I am familiar with only the common butterflies such as Swallowtails, Monarchs, and Skippers, and found the wealth of detail presented fascinating. The format used makes it easy to absorb new information. Many of us are visual learners; I know I am. Seeing the photo along with the text reinforces the information I have just read.
Butterfiles is a treasure trove of information and a handy reference guide to be consulted again and again.
July 9, 2016
Exquisite photos, great facts.
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April 29, 2016595.789 M324 2015
April 8, 2017
A beautiful book about butterflies and how they grow, life and survive. What wonderful creatures! The pictures are also beautiful and were of many butterflies I'll never see from around the world. What a treasure to be able to read about them and look at the pictures. Any day you see a butterfly is a good day.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews