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Butterflies of the World

A Guide to Every Subfamily
Brief Description
A lavishly illustrated guide to the diversity of the world's butterflies Conspicuous for their beauty, butterflies are one of the most popular and well-studied insects. This book explores the astonishing variety of butterfly species around the world and examines their central role in maintaining a range... Read More
Format: Hardback
$7300

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A lavishly illustrated guide to the diversity of the world's butterflies

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A lavishly illustrated guide to the diversity of the world's butterflies

Conspicuous for their beauty, butterflies are one of the most popular and well-studied insects. This book explores the astonishing variety of butterfly species around the world and examines their central role in maintaining a range of delicate ecosystems. Their sensitivity to changes in the environment across their life stages makes them effective indicators for monitoring the health of habitats and populations.

The use of a variety of strategies has ensured their survival, such as the ability to shift host plants at different life stages and the colourful wing patterns they use for mimicry, camouflage, and predator deterrence. In this expert guide, the introductory section covers topics ranging from anatomy and evolution to life stages and conservation.

A directory of profiles follows, highlighting the remarkable appearance, characteristics, and ecology of notable species. Blending the latest science with breathtaking illustrations, Butterflies of the World is the premier guide to these exquisite creatures.

  • More than 200 stunning colour photos
  • Each profile features current taxonomy, a commentary, distribution map, and table of information
  • Includes examples from every butterfly family and subfamily

Series: A Guide to Every Family

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  • Butterflies of the World
    A lavishly illustrated guide to the diversity of the world's butterflies Conspicuous for their beauty, butterflies are one of the most popular and well-studied insects. This book explores the astonishing variety of butterfly species around the world and examines their central role in maintaining a range of delicate ecosystems. Their sensitivity to changes in the environment across their life stages...
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  • Wasps of the World
    A richly illustrated guide to wasps around the world. Wasps have been around since before the dinosaurs and are one of the world's largest insect groups. More than 150,000 species have been identified, and while the black-and-yellow insect with a cinched waist may be the most familiar, most wasps are tiny parasitoids that use other insects for food. Wasps of...
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  • Snakes of the World
    A gorgeously illustrated guide to the incredible diversity of snakes around the world. Snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica and have evolved to occupy a vast range of habitats, from mountains to oceans and deserts to rain forests. Snakes of the World explores their extraordinary diversity, with an in-depth introduction covering anatomy, behaviour, habitats, reproduction, conservation, and other...
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  • Bats of the World
    A marvellously illustrated look at bats from around the world. The only mammals capable of flight, bats are found on every major continent on the planet. They perform crucial roles in the ecosystems they inhabit, from consuming insect pests over agricultural crops and forests to pollinating night-flowering plants, dispersing seeds in tropical biomes, and recycling nutrients and creating natural fertiliser....
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  • Spiders of the World
    A stunningly illustrated natural history of spiders, Spiders of the World explores the fascinating world of arachnids. These versatile creatures inhabit six of the seven continents and thrive in environments ranging from deserts and rain forests to Arctic tundra and cities. Spiders of the World offers a captivating look at these wondrously adaptable and endlessly intriguing creatures, presented by six...
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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691265209

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 02 September 2025

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 171.0mm

Height: 241.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 240

About the Author

Blanca Huertas is Principal Curator of Lepidoptera at the Natural History Museum in London, where she oversees the world's largest collection of butterflies. Blanca's research focuses on taxonomy, species limits, and conservation of tropical butterflies, and has been featured in scientific publications, TV, and other media around the world.

Shinichi Nakahara is Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University, where his research centers on Neotropical butterfly systematics.

Also by Shinichi Nakahara

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