APOLLO BOOKS

‘This is, in all aspects, the finest work yet produced on the European Odonata.’ Abstracts: Odonatologica

‘ ... will last into the twenty-second century.’ JHF in The Naturalist

First published fifteen years ago, this is the only book written in English to cover the entire European fauna, comprising 124 species of resident damselfly (Zygoptera) and dragonfly (Anisoptera), illustrated on the 30 plates of 219 colour figures. In most cases, both sexes as well as important variants are depicted, all enlarged.

In his Foreword to this revised edition, Professor Philip Corbet, Past-President of the Worldwide Dragonfly Association and doyen of British odonatists, states that, as a standard reference work, 'it will continue to contribute importantly to the progress of odonatology.'

The author has made a few corrections to his original text, which covered 114 species of Odonata breeding in Europe, and has added a new Preface and an updating Supplement.

The Introduction, which is largely unchanged, includes chapters on History; Life History; the Adult Dragonfly; Distribution; Morphology of the Adult Dragonfly; a complete, updated Check List; and Keys to the suborders and families.

The Systematic section gives keys to the genera and species, with clear descriptions and details of the biology, flight periods, and distribution of all species found in Europe, with distribution maps showing national boundaries.

This is now followed by the Supplement, in which Dr Askew has added a further ten resident species, including one new to science, and several adventives. It also provides new information under the following headings: Nomenclature; Orthography; Thermoregulation; American species observed in Europe; Accidental Introductions into Europe; Other species newly recognized in Europe; Species new to the British Isles; Expansion of recorded ranges within Europe; Other new distribution records; and Contraction of recorded ranges. The author goes on to list major European and national literature on the Odonata published since 1988.

There are numerous line-drawings throughout the text and over 100 new references to the European literature have been added to the supplement bringing the total to over 650. The book concludes with a new Index to English and scientific names, incorporating all species, subspecies and synonyms cited in the revised text. There are two plates of colour photographs showing biology and habitats and the author has added a further colour plate to his original 29 plates of adult insects, depicting five of the new European species and one from North America.

In its new, slightly-reduced, softback format, this classic work, which has already sold 3000 copies, will be more practical in the field and should prove extremely popular with British and Continental odonatists.

Dr Askew, former Reader in Entomology at Manchester University, is author of another highly acclaimed work, Parasitic Insects, and a talented artist. 

Plate 10: Damselflies - species of Coenagrionidae.

Plate 15: Dragonflies - species of Aeshnidae.

Plate 30: Additional species of Aeshnidae and Libellulidae.

The 87 individual coloured figures, taken from The Dragonflies of Europe, depict both sexes and different colour forms of the 16 species of damselfly and 23 species of dragonfly found in the British Isles. Captions give English and scientific names, habitat, distribution and status of each species. (Published in association with the British Dragonfly Society.)

‘... a major achievement ... and a significant contribution to the catalogue of Britain’s biodiversity.’ Colin R. Tubbs, British Wildlife.

This totally new and much needed work on the County’s flora – published in association with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust – is the first comprehensive study for nearly a century.
Excluding the Isle of Wight, it contains over 1750 species of vascular plants including some non-indigenous speces as well as subspecies, varieties and hybrids. In addition, condensed accounts of the lichens (590 taxa) and bryophytes (459 taxa) – groups in which the county is particularly rich – have been contributed by Francis Rose with Ken Sandell and Alan Crundwell respectively.

As in Townsend’s Flora of Hampshire (1884), there are introductory chapters on Structure and Geology; Climate; Habitats; and an up-to-date Comparison of Hampshire’s Flora with some other southern Counties (including the Isle of Wight) – all by Francis Rose. There are also chapters on Conservation of the Flora (with a complete list of nature reserves) by Peter Brough and Paul Bowman; Some earlier Workers on the Hampshire Flora by David Allen; and Botanical Recording by Paul Bowman. The Flora ends with an extensive Bibliography and References and a fully comprehensive Index.

The principal authors are all experienced Hampshire botanists with an intimate knowledge of its flora.

Plates XV, XVI: Two rare Hampshire species - the Northern Fragrant Orchid and the Burnt Orchid.

‘... the quality is excellent and I can recommend it as a work of reference.’ Simon Elliott, Journal of the Wildlife Sound Recording Society.

‘... one of the definitive natural history texts of the twentieth century.’ Mike Siva-Jothy, Nature
‘... I am convinced that Philip Corbet’s Dragonflies is and will remain one of the truly great entomological books.’ Norman Moore, Biological Conservation

US edition selected by Choice as an Outstanding Academic Title in 2000.

This outstanding monograph presents a critical review of information, published and unpublished, worldwide, on the behaviour and ecology of dragonflies in all stages of the life cycle for both physical and biotic environments. Information about tropical and temperate species in functional and evolutionary contexts is skilfully integrated and facts and ideas are reviewed in the context of current biological thinking. The book includes more than 4,000 bibliographical entries, and concludes with indexes to authors, taxa and subjects.

Philip Corbet is a world authority on the Odonata and author of the highly regarded A Biology of Dragonflies (which the present work comprehensively updates), and co-author with Cynthia Longfield and Norman Moore of the New Naturalist volume on Dragonflies. He has recently been awarded the Royal Society of Edinburgh's prestigious Neill Medal (2002) for this book as 'an extraordinary piece of scholarship and biological insight'. This is awarded triennially to a Scottish Naturalist for a major contribution to natural history. 

‘A remarkable blend of entomological and classical scholarship.’ Sir Richard Southwood in the Foreword.

‘... an essential reference work for all lepidopterists interested in the nomenclature of the butterflies and moths that they collect and study.’ W. G. Tremewan, Entomologist’s Gazette.

An Introduction, giving notes on Nomenclature, Classification and Conventions; and Terms and Abbreviations, is followed by a History of the Scientific Nomenclature of Lepidoptera.

In the Systematic Section, the meanings of over 4000 names are given. The nomenclature is that of Kloet & Hincks (1972) with more recent amendments. The specific names (each preceded by the Bradley & Fletcher Log Book number) are explained, together with the names of the genera, families and suborders to which they belong, giving both Latin and Greek roots.

Appendixes include People commemorated in the names of Lepidoptera; Geographical Names and Unresolved Names. References and Indexes complete the work.

Maitland Emmet, a widely respected amateur entomologist, was one of Britain’s leading specialists in the microlepidoptera and senior editor of the series The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland until his recent death. As a classical scholar and crossword enthusiast he was ideally equipped for the research needed in the preparation of this book.

Short-listed for the Macallan Gold Dagger for non-fiction, 2001, awarded by the Crime Writers Association.

'... a rich and varied tale of a forensic entomologist who has solved many a murder mystery by dating the insects found on the corpse ... would make a superb TV series - in which event, I would be one of its most faithful viewers. Colin Wilson, Literary Review.

‘Here is that rare thing, a good popular book on forensic entomology that is also an illuminating read on forensic science ...’ Mark Benecke, Nature.

‘Dr Zak’s unique and well-informed insights into the moral, social and legal implications of his job make this the most readable scientific book I have read.’ Helen Brown, The Daily Telegraph.

In this absorbing book, the author examines in some detail the way in which this fascinating and sometimes macabre profession is practised, based on his own particular study of the life-histories of Diptera – especially blowflies: the nature of the evidence to be looked for and how it should be evaluated, and the sources of material for examination. The author cites many high-profile cases, some of them notorious crimes, both from the present day and also from the historical (and even the prehistoric and mythical) past, and considers the motivation which leads to murder, comparing his own approach with that of one of his fictional forerunners whom he much admires – Sherlock Holmes. The book is as gripping and readable as a good thriller but also highlights the author’s disquiet at the present standing of forensic science in this country.

Dr Erzinçlioglu is the author of Blowflies (Naturalists’ Handbook 23) and has contributed widely to the literature on Diptera and forensic entomology in which field he is probably the most experienced scientist in the business.

A joint project of the Environment Agency, the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee; written by a team of 38 authors and compiled and edited by Cynthia Davies (CEH), Jonathan Shelley (EA), Paul Harding (Biological Records Centre, CEH), Ian McLean (JNCC), Ross Gardiner (Fisheries Research Services) and Graeme Peirson (EA).

For most British natural historians, there is one vertebrate order that could well be said to be 'out of sight, out of mind'. This is our freshwater fishes, familiar principally only to anglers, those concerned with managing rivers and other waterbodies, and a few research scientists. The results of this project, which ran from 1998-2002, are published here in the form of comprehensive 10km square dot-distribution maps for the 54 species inhabiting England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. These indicate the vulnerability of several of our native British species. Following a wide-ranging introductory chapter, and further chapters on distribution and the history of the project, Chapter 4 comprises the individual species accounts under the headings: Description; Biology and behaviour; Habitat; Distribution in Britain; World distribution; Status; Hybrids and related species; and a final section of the relationship of each species with Man. In addition to a map, each species is illustrated by fine lithographs taken from Francis Day's famous 19th century work, skilfully supplemented by Michael J. Roberts for those species unknown to Day. Chapter 5 covers 'Conservation and Management of Freshwater Fishes' and is followed by four Appendices relating to (1) Publications; (2 & 3) Legislation; and (4) Selected websites relating to environmental protection, biodiversity information and fish conservation. The book concludes with a Glossary; a comprehensive Bibliography; and an Index.

In his Foreword, Sir John Burnett, Chairman of the National Biodiversity Network Trust, commends this books as 'a unique reliable source of clear and comprehensive information that is pleasing both to the mind and to the eyes' and expresses the hope that 'it will lead to ... the more effective conservation of this "alien race" in our midst'.

Cover illustration - Brown trout (Salmo trutta).

Plate 15: River Test SSSI, Hampshire - classic English chalk stream.

Species account of the tench Tinca tinca.

This entirely new English edition, comprehensively revised and edited by T.L. Blockeel, has been translated from the German, with some additional text, by the authors.

In the past ten years there have been many advances in our knowledge of the taxonomy and distribution of European bryophytes and pteridophytes, all of which have been taken into account in this, the first English translation of Die Moos- und Farnpflanzen Europas, published in its sixth edition in 1995 as Volume 4 of the highly regarded Kleine Kryptogamenflora. It will be warmly welcomed by non-German speakers.

The structure of the book takes the form of an extended key to just under 2000 European species in which families and genera are keyed out mostly as single units. The format is that of a field guide. The systematic arrangement of the book largely follows the structure of the keys inherited from the previous edition, and the sequence of the text, with few exceptions, follows that of the excellent published figures. Consequently, it has been considered unwise to introduce too many systematic innovations, particularly as many systematic and phylogenetic questions remain to be answered At the same time, every effort has been made to ensusre comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of the species occurring in Europe.

Despite certain inherent difficulties, the opportunity has been taken by the editor to modify sections of the text, correct errors and iron out ambiguities and inconsistencies. As in the last German edition, some rare and newly added species are not keyed out independently but are treated briefly by means of a clearly indicated annotation in the body of the key.

The book is unique in its coverage of all bryophyes and ferns to found within this large and varied geographical area, its scope extending from Iceland in the west to the Ural Mountains in the east and including the northern Macaronesian islands.The fern section has been further extended to include Georgia and the Caucasus, Turkey and Cyprus and the Cape Verde Islands. The distribution reflects current national boundaries.

Although the bryophyte and fern sections of the book vary slightly in their presentation, reflecting their separate authorship, every effort has been made to standardize them where practicable. The literature references, combining those to bryophytes and ferns, have also been brought right up to date, and the Glossary contains many additional entries. Publications dealing with rare and threatened species are highlighted.

In a single volume, this work provides users with the means of making at least a preliminary identification of any bryophyte or fern which they might encounter in Europe or Macaronesia.  Customers in North America should order this title from ISBS.

Sample fern figure.

Additional material for the English Edition contributed by A. Maitland Emmet (Microlepidoptera); Jim Reid (Geometridae); and Brian O. C. Gardiner (Semi-synthetic diet).

‘THE working and reference book for all lepidopterists who wish to breed continental butterflies and British and European moths.’ P. W. Cribb, Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society.

‘The information in this book is very hard to come by and it is invaluable for the amateur butterfly lover, the professional collector and also the biologist using butterflies as a tool ... this volume will be in constant use’. Miriam Rothschild, Biologist.

‘I strongly recommend the whole book to any entomologist, conservationist or butterfly farmer who may need to rear Lepidoptera.’ Jeremy Thomas, Biological Conservation.

Following an important introductory section on ‘How to use this Book’, the work is divided into two parts. The first contains clear, illustrated instructions on breeding and rearing equipment and techniques; a breeder’s diary; a note on conservation; and a list of botanical literature. The second, main part gives detailed rearing instructions by species, or for closely related species with similar requirements by genus, for macro- and microlepidoptera from nearly every family found in the area – over 1000 species. The book also contains a select bibliography of works on British and European Lepidoptera and a complete dual index to both insects and plants.

‘... an admirable work ... meets its primary stated purpose, identification, by illustrations and descriptions.’ Bryan P. Beirne, Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society.

‘This book is thoroughly recommended for all those interested in moths, and is a worthy companion to Skinner’s Moths of the British Isles.’ P. A. Sokoloff, Entomologist’s Record.

No other book in print covers the British species of the family Pyralidae, which includes such familiar species as the Mother of Pearl, the China-marks and the Grass Moths. All 208 species are clearly described in the text and all are illustrated photographically in the 272 figures on the colour plates, showing sexual dimorphism and different colour forms. The text gives a concise description of each species and its more striking races or forms, aided, where necessary, by line-drawings. Information is included on life histories, habits, seasonal occurrence, geographical distribution and host-plants. There is also a check list of the British Pyralidae.

Barry Goater is one of the most active amateur field lepidopterists in the country and a former vice-president of SEL (Societas Europaea Lepidopterologica).

Frontispiece

Plate 5.

‘... this is an atlas of remarkable stature. There is something in it for everyone, whether bryologist or interested onlooker, and I recommend it unreservedly to all ...’ M. E. Newton, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society.

The 10-km square dot-distribution maps, based on 30 years’ recording by members of the British Bryological Society, were produced at the Biological Records Centre, ITE, Monks Wood. Each species’ map is accompanied by notes on its habitat, reproductive biology and overseas distribution, and additional maps are included to illustrate various factors affecting distribution. Each volume contains an introductory chapter and concludes with a bibliography and index to species.

Mark Hill is a past-president of the BBS and co-author of Distribution of bryophytes in the British Isles: a census catalogue of their occurrence in vice-counties; Chris Preston is an active field botanist with an interest in both bryophytes and vascular plants; both work at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (formerly ITE), Monks Wood. Tony Smith is a professional bryologist at the University of Wales Bangor and author of The Moss Flora of Britain and Ireland and The Liverworts of Britain and Ireland.

This work reflects modern concepts of systematics at the generic, specific and subspecific levels and aims to update the now outdated catalogue by Reiss & Tremewan (1967), and to bring stability into the nomenclature. The author, date and literature reference of each nominal taxon are cited, together with full synonymies. Type localities of taxa at species and subspecies levels are provided, as well as the range of each species and the distribution of each subspecies. Larval host-plants are listed under each zygaenid species (and vice-versa) and are also indexed by family and species. Literature references are annotated with the same key-words that were used in the Bibliography, to which the Catalogue is a companion and to which this work also contains an updating supplement. It concludes with an index of valid nominal taxa and their synoyms.

‘Rarely can one welcome the publication of a book so wholeheartedly...’ John Crothers, Field Studies.

Published in association with the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland, this atlas is the culmination of nearly forty years’ work by its members in almost every corner of the British Isles, resulting in an impressively thorough coverage based on the 10km square.

The Introduction includes Early History of Recording; The Mapping Scheme; Factors Influencing Distribution; History of the British Fauna; and the Future. The dot-distribution maps, generated in 1998 by the Biological Records Centre, ITE, Monks Wood, cover all species, whether native or introduced and naturalized, and are accompanied by notes on their habitat, history (including fossil occurrence), British status and overseas distribution, and include a small black-and-white illustration of each species. A select Bibliography; six maps illustrating relevant environmental factors; Localities mentioned in the text with their grid references; List of Recorders; and an Index complete the work.

Michael Kerney, Emeritus Reader in Palaeontology at the University of London and a past-president of the Conchological Society, is co-author of A Field Guide to the Land Snails of Britain and Europe. 

Distribution map of Common Door Snail (Clausilia bidentata).

‘ ... of great interest and a source of reference to historians of science and to working arachnologists alike. The whole production forms an absorbing study of seventeenth-century natural history and the foundations of arachnology in this country. Its beauty lies in the knowledge it provides of both the man and his subject.’ R. A. Baker, Archives of Natural History.

This is the first-ever English edition of the naturalist Martin Lister’s Tractatus de Araneis, written in Latin and published in 1678. A founder member of the Royal Society and a friend and regular correspondent of his well-known contemporary, John Ray, Lister was highly regarded in his own day and cited by Linnaeus in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae (1758). With the demise of Latin as the language of science, and the ability to read it, so his pioneering contribution to British arachnology has been either overlooked or discounted and he has faded into relative obscurity.
John Parker’s Introduction chronicles Lister’s life and times and assesses Lister’s contribution to arachnology. Notes on the translation explain Lister’s precise and well-ordered terminology and give further background information. The translation of the Tractatus itself follows. Book 1 is an introductory section devoted to general spider morphology, behaviour, biology and lore. Book 2 – the systematic section – divides spiders first into those with two and those with eight eyes, and then by their methods of obtaining prey – either by web-building or hunting in the open. Each species’ description is followed by an editorial Species Note commenting on Lister’s observations, several of which are unique. A superb new colour plate by Michael J. Roberts mirrors the original engraved plate; other monochrome plates illustrate some of the most important people and places in Lister’s life. An appendix containing relevant correspondence between Lister and his contemporaries is followed by comprehensive references and an index.

John Parker, a past-president of the British Arachnological Society, has long been an admirer of Martin Lister and has, with this book, restored him to his rightful position as ‘father of British arachnology’.

1678 engraving of the 38 species described by Lister.

New colour plate of the same 38 species, identified from Lister's descriptions.

This is a very personal account of the author's experiences in the field of conservation. The book is divided into two distinct but related parts. In the first, he describes how some 40 years ago he acquired a bare field adjacent to his home in Cambridgeshire and transformed part of it into a private nature reserve with a wood, a large pond and rough grassland. He details his successes in trying to attract the wildlife which has subsequently colonized it as well as his failures. In his words: 'many people wish to encourage wildlife on their land but do not know exactly what to do or what they can expect to achieve'.

In the second part, he relates his own local experiences to the wider conservation scene. Most people are still unaware of the fundamental importance of wildlife or its connection with our own survival and they are also unaware of the urgency of the measures our generation can and must take. He considers how the failures of democratic governments to carry out crucial long-term measures might be overcome.

The author's aims are to encourage farmers and owners of large gardens to create nature reserves by describing the pleasures which flow from such a project, as well as to stimulate debate on conservation policy and on the role of governments, nationally and internationally, in furthering the conservation of our own species as well as that of wildlife - currently a red-hot topic.

Norman Moore is one of our best-known and most highly respected naturalists. He has a wide knowledge of and interest in many aspects of British wildlife and has pursued a distinguished career in nature conservation, including the post of Chief Advisory Officer, Nature Conservancy Council from 1979-1983. He was also a founding member of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and a judge of the Silver Lapwing Award for conservation in farming. In addition to numerous scientific papers and articles, his published works include two in the New Naturalist series, Dragonflies with P.S. Corbet and Cynthia Longfield, and Hedges with E. Pollard and M.D. Hooper; and The Bird of Time, which won the Natural World Book of the Year award. He has recently been honoured by the Zoological Society of London with the Stamford Raffles Award for his distinguished contribution to the ecology and behaviour of Dragonflies, and also by the Royal Entomological Society both with an Honorary Fellowship and with the Marsh Entomological Award for Insect Conservation, of which he is the first recipient. 

Many authors have written for the series, among them professional and amateur entomologists, all with specialist knowledge of the subject they have treated. They are listed here alphabetically, with the volume or volumes to which they have contributed shown in parentheses:
D.J.L. Agassiz (Vols 2 & 3); R.R. Askew (Vol. 1); K.E.J. Bailey (Vol. 7(1)); B.R. Baker (Vol. 2); C.R. Baker (Vol. 1); R.R. Baker (Vol. 7(1)); B.Å. Bengtsson (Sweden) (Vol. 4(1)); T.J. Bibby (Vol. 7(1)); M.C. Birch (Vol. 9); K.P. Bland (Vols 3, 4(1) & (2)); P.M. Brakefield (Vol. 7(1)); R.F. Bretherton (Vols 7(1), 9 & 10); J.M. Chalmers-Hunt (Vol. 1); R.V. Collier (Vol. 7(1)); M.F.V. Corley (Vols 3, 4(2)); M. Davies (Vol. 7(1)); J.P. Dempster (Vol. 7(1)); R.J. Dickson (Vol. 4(1)); A.M. Emmet (Vols 1, 2, 3, 4(1) & (2), 7(1) & (2)); J.S.E. Feltwell (Vol. 7(1)); W.L.R.E. Gilchrist (Vol. 9); B. Goater (Vols 7(2), 9 & 10); H.C.J. Godfray (Vol. 3); M.L. Hall (Vol. 7(1)); M.W. Harper (Vol. 4(1)); P. Hättenschwiler (Switzerland) (Vol. 2); J. Heath (Vol. 1, 7(1)); R.J. Heckford (Vol. 4(2)); P. Huemer (Austria) (Vol. 4(2)); J.C. Koster (The Netherlands) (Vol. 4(1)); J.R. Langmaid (Vols 3 & 4(1)); N.W. Lear (Vol. 7(1)); R. Long (Vol. 7(1)); I.E. Looker (Vol. 7(1)); R.I. Lorimer (Vols 9 &10); T. Melling (Vol. 7(1)); M.G. Morris (Vols 1 & 7(1)); A.C. Morton (Vol. 7(1)); M. Oates (Vol. 7(1)); S.M. Palmer (Vol. 4(2)); M.S. Parsons (Vol. 4(2)); E.C. Pelham-Clinton (Vols 1, 2 & 7(1)); Linda Pitkin (Vol. 4(2)); E. Pollard (Vol. 7(1)); K. Porter (Vol. 7(1)); C.R. Pratt (Vol. 7(1)); J. Razowski (Poland) (Vol. 3); M.J. Read (Vol. 7(1)); J. Reid (Vol. 1); R.J. Revell (Vol. 9); C.F. Rivers (Vol. 1); Miriam Rothschild (Vol. 2); T. Rutten (The Netherlands) (Vol. 4(2)); J. Rydell (Sweden) (Vol. 4(1)); K. Sattler (Vols 4(1) & (2)); M.J. Scoble (Vol. 7(2)); M.R. Shaw (Vol. 1); T.G. Shreeve (Vol. 7(1)); D.J. Simcox (Vol. 7(1)); A.N.B. Simpson (Vol. 4(2)); B. Skinner (Vol. 2); P.H. Sterling (Vols 3 & 4(2)); J.A. Thomas (Vol. 7(1)); W.G. Tremewan (Vol. 2); M.W.F. Tweedie (Vol. 7(2)); M.S. Warren (Vol. 7(1)); I.A. Watkinson (Vol. 2); K.J. Willmott (Vol. 7(1)); Angela Wilson (Vol. 7(1)); M.R.Wilson (Vol. 2); C.G.M. de Worms (Vol. 9) and M.R. Young (Vols 4(1) & 7(2)).

Vol. 1: Micropterigidae - Heliozelidae. 1976. 344 pages. 4 colour plates. 9 black/white plates. 85 text figures. ISBN Hb. 0-946589-03-8, Pb. 0-946589-15-1.
Vol. 2: Cossidae - Heliodinidae. 1985. 460 pages. 16 colour plates. Text figures. ISBN Hb. 0-946589-02-X.
Vol. 3: Yponomeutidae - Elachistidae. 1996. 452 pages. 10 colour plates. 500 text figures.234 distribution maps. ISBN Pb. 0-946589-56-9.
Vol. 4 part 1: Batrachedridae, Oecophoridae, Ethmiidae, Autostichidae, Blastobasidae, Agronoxenidae, Momphidae, Cosmopterigidae and Scythrididae. 2002. 326 pages. 7 colour plates. 95 text figures. 146 distribution maps. ISBN Hb. 0-946589-66-6, Pb. 0-946589-72-0.
Vol. 4 part 2: Gelechiidae. 2002.  277 pages. 6 colour plates. 63 text figures. 161 distribution maps. ISBN Hb. 0-946589-67-4, Pb. 0-946589-73-9.
Vol. 7 part 1: Hesperidae - Nymphalidae. 1989. 376 pages. 24 colour plates. 22 text figures. 82 distrib. maps. ISBN Hb. 0-946589-25-9. Pb. 0-946589-37-2.
Vol. 7 part 2: Lasiocampidae - Thyatiridae. 1991. 400 pages. 8 colour plates. 8 text figures. 8 maps. ISBN Hb. 0-946589-26-7, Pb. 0-946589-42-9.
Vol. 9: Sphingidae - Noctuidae (Noctuinae - Hadeninae). 1979. 320 pages. 16 colour plates. 19 text figures.  ISBN Hb. 0-946589-04-6, Pb. 0-946589-16-X.
Vol. 10: Noctuidae (Cuculliinae - Hypeninae) - Agaristidae. 1983. 460 pages. 13 colour plates. 19 text figures. ISBN Hb. 0-946589-01-1, Pb. 0-946589-17-8.
All hardback volumes/parts are now priced at GBP 87.00 / EUR 105,00 /USD 148.00 / DKK 740.00 each.
All paperback volumes/parts are now priced at GBP 52.00 / EUR 63,00 / USD 88.00 / DKK 440.00 each.
Please note, that Volume 2 as paperback and Volume 3 as hardback is out of print.

All volumes 250 × 300mm. Clothbound and jacketed, or limpbound (sewn and bound in strong laminated covers). Colour illustrations in Vols 1, 2, 9 & 10 mainly by Brian Hargreaves; those in Vols 3, 4(1), 4(2), 7(1), 7(2) and future volumes by Richard Lewington. Text figures of genitalia and other diagnostic features have been drawn either by the authors themselves or, as in most cases, by professional artists with skill and expertise in this field of scientific representation.

We plan to complete the series under the editorship of Dr Keith Bland, a former author and associate editor. Orders will continue to be supplied from a UK source at UK postal/carriage rates.

‘...will be welcomed by all serious amateur and professional entomologists, and will remain the standard work in the foreseeable future.’ John F. Burton, British Book News.

‘...the series [is] outstanding. It is quite simply essential – no other books on the subject even approach it now, nor will do, I am sure, for many years to come.’ Dick Seamons, Reference Reviews.

‘Beautifully produced, carefully edited, well illustrated and comprehensive in coverage, these are volumes aimed to satisfy the dedicated enthusiast’ New Scientist.

‘...works produced with this level of love and care and attention to detail aim to inspire people to discover more.’ Patrick Roper, Butterfly Conservation News.

‘It is a marvellous work ... nowhere else has so comprehensive a coverage been attempted, and to so high a standard.’ Mark Ridley, Times Literary Supplement.

‘This series must be quite the best ever published which is to include the whole of the British Lepidoptera. It will be useful and informative to amateur and professional alike.’ The Naturalist.

‘... not only useful for the British and Irish reader, but to nearly the same extent also for the continental, and therefore I assume, even non-European readers ... highly recommended to everybody interest[ed] in the biology, systematics and distribution of European Lepidoptera.’ Clas M. Naumann, Zoologischer Anzeiger.

Of the sixty-two families of Lepidoptera recorded in the British Isles, all but five have so far been described in this major series. No other work covers them so authoritatively. In the case of the microlepidoptera, these volumes are often the only source of detailed information necessary for their identification.

Ongoing taxonomic research has led to the suprageneric levels of classification of the Lepidoptera being under constant review, and the status and relationships of families and subfamilies are subject to change. Consequently, the systematic treatment adopted in earlier published volumes has, in a number of cases, undergone considerable revision. These subsequent changes are laid out more fully in the table in Volume 3 (p. 38) under the heading ‘Classification of the British Lepidoptera’. Subsequent volumes present the latest scheme of classification on the opening page of each Systematic Section, adopted by this work at the date of their publication. See Volume 4, Part 1, p. 42, and Volume 4, part 2, p. 9.

Each volume contains special introductory chapters on important aspects of the study of British Lepidoptera; Keys to families and species; Systematic Section consisting of a full description, details of life history, structural drawings where necessary and a distribution map for each species. For the larger species, distribution maps record presence on a 10km grid square basis; microlepidoptera species by Vice-counties. In addition, all species and significant variants are illustrated in colour.

Cover of Vol. 3, hardback edition

Cover of Vol. 7(1), paperback edn: The Butterflies.

Vol.4, part 2, text with vice-county distribution map.

‘A landmark in the study of British Liverworts.’ E. V. Watson, in the Foreword.

‘It is for amateur and professional bryologists alike a long-awaited source of information in detailed descriptions and illustrations giving the means to identify species in the group.’ Christine Rieser, The London Naturalist.

‘It is hardly possible to praise it too highly.’ T.L. Blockeel, Yorkshire Naturalists’ Journal.

This work is the culmination of well over 30 years’ personal study of Britain’s hepatic flora in the field which has enabled the author to take into account the full range of variation of each taxon.

The Introduction comprises sections on Collection and preservation, Examination of material, Measurements, Habitats and distribution, Conservation, Function and use of keys, Explanation of text, Abbreviations and symbols used in the text, Explanation of figures, Abbreviations and symbols used in the figures (also provided on plastic bookmark). The systematic section begins with a Conspectus of classification followed by the accounts of genera with keys, and of species, each copiously illustrated in meticulous detail by the author – a magnum opus in its own right. The work concludes with Glossary, Vice-counties in the British Isles and map, Bibliography and Index.
Jean Paton has long been respected by her fellow bryologists, both in the UK and overseas, for her outstanding knowledge of Britain’s liverwort flora. In May 2000 she received the Jill Smythies Award from the Linnean Society of London for her illustrations in this book, and in 2002 the International Association of Bryologists awarded her the Sinske Hattori Prize for the best bryological publication of 1999-2000.

Figure 73: Barbilophozia lycopodioides.

‘This splendid monograph ... deserves a place in the library of any naturalist or entomologist, but it is a must for all lepidopterists.’ K. G. V. Smith, Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine.

‘.. a most important monograph relating to western Palaearctic Sphingidae ...’ K. Spitzer, European Journal of Entomology.

A detailed study of the sphingid species found in the region – an area bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Sahara Desert to the south, the Arctic to the north, and Siberia to the east – with emphasis on their biology, ecology and breeding.

The Introduction includes an Historical Account of the Study of the Sphingidae, listing major British and foreign works on the family. Then follow chapters on Life History, Adult Morphology, Ecology of Western Palaearctic Sphingidae, and Classification. The Systematic Section includes a Check List, followed by detailed descriptions of 57 species and 28 subspecies, with full synonymy, distribution maps, text figures of adults, genitalia, larvae and pupae, and vernacular names in several European languages. Four appendixes (Rearing Hawkmoths, Hostplants, Gazetteer and Glossary) and comprehensive references follow.

The colour plates depict 110 figures of adults of all the species and many subspecies photographed from set specimens; larvae of 40 species and five subspecies or forms on their hostplants; two photographic plates of Habitats and five of larvae and adults in the wild. The book concludes with separate indexes of insects, plants and topics.

Tony Pittaway, co-author of Insects of Eastern Arabia, is a professional entomologist who has made a life-study of the hawkmoths, travelling widely throughout the region and beyond, and successfully breeding most species himself.

Plate 3: Larvae of subfamily Macroglossinae.

Plate 5: Adults of subfamily Sphinginae.

‘This is an essential work for all people concerned with ecology and management of freshwater.’ C.D.K. Cook, Watsonia.

Over the past 50 years, major changes have taken place in the distribution of aquatic plants in Europe. Many species have declined whilst other species have increased in abundance or spread, including several that were originally introduced from the New World. Despite the relative richness of the aquatic flora of Britain and Ireland, it is a neglected area of study.

This book is not an identification manual but provides a summary of the distribution, habitat and reproductive biology of 200 taxa in 72 genera, with individual distribution maps, and also summarizes their distribution overseas.

Distribution map of Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata).

‘... an important milestone in Orthoptera literature ... as valuable to the interested amateur as to the professional scientist.’ J. Paul, Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine.

Most of the 170 species of grasshoppers and crickets included in this book can be identified instantly by their songs – and often more reliably than from their appearance. Orthopterans have recently become important subjects in evolutionary biological studies and are also increasingly used in the field of conservation as indicators of undisturbed habitat.

The book comprises the following chapters: Introduction; Acoustic Methods; Sound Production and Reception of European Orthoptera; The Nature and Function of the Songs; The Value of the Songs in Taxonomy and Identification; Key to the singing Orthoptera of Western Europe, based primarily on their Songs; and other Animal Sounds that could be confused with Orthoptera Songs – illustrated with over 1600 oscillograms; three Appendixes (Check-list of the species included; Summary of Nomenclatural Changes; Data for the Song Recordings); Glossary; References; Index to Vernacular Names; and General Index.

David Ragge, formerly Head of the Orthoptera Section and Deputy Keeper of Entomology at The Natural History Museum, is author of the classic work, Grasshoppers, Crickets & Cockroaches of the British Isles. Jim Reynolds has been recording and analysing the songs of European Orthoptera with Dr Ragge for some 25 years.

Plate 1: Tettigoniidae - twelve European bush-cricket species.

‘... invaluable for ensuring accurate identification.’ John Widgery, British Wildlife.

‘... an absolute gem.’ David Pye, The Linnean.

The disks include some 352 song excepts, and are intended to enable the user to make direct comparisons between the recordings and the song that needs to be identified.

This group of geometrid moths (in the genera Eupithecia, Chloroclystis, Pasiphila and Gymnoscelis) comprises perhaps the most difficult of the macrolepidoptera to identify with confidence, and knowledge of them is consequently uneven. In this long-awaited, new and extensively illustrated work, the authors describe the characters and biology of all stages of the 52 species from Britain and Ireland, with individual maps showing their known distribution on a vice-county basis. Particular emphasis is placed on the identification of confusible species and work individuals. The wing-patterns are illustrated in detailed black-and-white drawings to show the main diagnostic features, as are the larvae and genitalia of every species. The adults are depicted in three sets of colour plates: two of set specimens, first, in their systematic order and then with similar species grouped together for easier comparison; the third of moths in their natural postures in a series of 60 superb colour photographs. The introductory chapters contain details of 'How to use this book'; and provide an 'Historical review of the species'; there is also a chapter on 'Breeding and rearing pugs'. Appendixes cover 'Foodplants and associated larvae'; a Table of Phenology; and a Glossary. The book concludes with a comprehensive Bibliography, and a full Index including synonymies.

Adrian Riley, formerly a professional lepidopterist at Rothamsted Experimental Station and author of A Natural History of the Butterflies and Moths of Shropshire, and his amateur co-author, Gaston Prior, have made a special study of this group. Their unique and thorough approach will greatly facilitate the identification of pugs and thus encourage their study.

Cover showing pugs in natural resting postures.

Plate 1: Pug species (Eupithecia) in taxonomic order.

Plate 5: Pug species arranged to aid identification.

‘This important book on plant and insect habitats provides a history of English conservation, or the lack of it, since 1912.’ Jeffrey B. Harborne, Phytochemistry.

‘I unreservedly recommend this book to all who have an interest in nature conservation and particularly to those who would like to know more about how nature reserves were selected and what became of them.’ T.C.E. Wells, Watsonia.

The somewhat enigmatic title of this book, by one of Britain’s most distinguished scientists in collaboration with a highly respected natural history writer, belies the arresting nature of its content. Eighty years ago, Miriam Rothschild’s father, Charles Rothschild – said by some to have been the inventor of nature conservation in Britain – first proposed the establishment of a network of 280 national nature reserves throughout the country to preserve the cream of its wildlife habitats – a monumental task. In this book she and her co-author discuss the efforts that went into the selection of these reserves and compare the state then and now of 182 of the English sites and their wildlife – depressing reading in many cases.

The authors hope to spur everyone interested in the survival of the British countryside to take remedial action to safeguard it before it is too late.

The Devil's Kneading Trough in Kent, singled out by Charles Rothschild for its rare insects.

‘What can one say about such a beautiful and informative book? It is difficult to express in words what a remarkable publication it is and at such a low price.’ W. G. Tremewan, Entomologist’s Gazette.

'This information-packed but highly readable account of 300 years of British lepidoptery, practised largely by amateurs, is a must-read for butterfly afficionados and social historians alike.' Nature.

'... an extraordinarily readable, accessible and fascinating account of a subculture that has never before been championed in a work for the public. It is a riveting and remarkable book.' Gaden Robinson, Times Literary Supplement.

‘This is as splendid a volume as one might hope or wish for ...’ John Fowles, The Spectator.

Although the collecting of butterflies is today an emotive subject, it is impossible to separate a history of British butterflies from a history of their collectors, without whose activities our knowledge of the identification, occurrence, distribution, and variation of British butterflies would be much the poorer.

Liberally laced with contemporary quotations, this book brings to life the past three hundred years of butterfly study, with details of early societies, collecting equipment, biographies of 101 deceased lepidopterists, with portraits where available, as well as the chequered history in Britain of some 35 species of butterfly. The colour plates include some of the finest butterfly illustrations ever. Michael Salmon, an amateur lepidopterist who has made a special study of butterfly variation in Britain, has spent many years in gathering together the wealth of anecdotal and illustrative material which enhance this historical account, in which he has been assisted by Peter Marren and Basil Harley.

Plate 22: Black and Brown Hairstreak butterflies, drawn by H.N. Humphreys (1841)

Plate 31: Marbled White and Painted Lady butterflies, drawn by Moses Harris (1766).

‘Excellent compilation ... it is indispensable.’ Miriam Rothschild in Entomologist’s Gazette.

The Zygaeninae (burnets) are diurnal, aposematic moths which occur in the Palaearctic, Oriental and Afrotropical regions. The unusual biology of this small subfamily of fewer than 120 species has inspired research on their ecology, chemical ecology, pheromone biology, ethology and mimicry, in addition to systematics, life history, larval host plants, genetics and geographical and individual variation. This bibliography of about 2750 entries has been checked against the original publications and is as complete as possible to the end of 1986. It is comprehensively indexed by subject and bibliography reference number.

The author, formerly on the staff of the Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, has made a life-study of this family and wrote the detailed account of the Zygaenidae in Volume 2 of The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland.