Butterflies: A Natural History

Description

'If you thought butterflies were special, the clear intelligible science in this superb page-turner will make you realise they're ultra-special' - MATTHEW OATES This new addition to the British Wildlife Collection is a unique take on butterfly behaviour and ecology, written by the former Chief Executive of Butterfly Conservation, Martin Warren. It explores the secret lives of our British species (also drawing on comparative examples from continental Europe), revealing how they have become adapted to survive in such a highly competitive natural world. Combining personal anecdote with the latest discoveries in the scientific literature, this book covers everything from why we love butterflies and their life-cycle from egg to adult, to their struggle for survival in a world of predators and parasites and the miracle of migration. The final chapters explore how butterflies are recorded, the change in their ranges and abundance during the 20th and 21st centuries, and the significance of managing habitats at a landscape scale, concluding with a passionate plea for why we must act now to reverse butterfly declines. Insightful, inspiring and a joy to read, Butterflies is the culmination of a lifetime of careful research into what makes these beautiful insects tick and how and why we must conserve them.

Martin Warren has studied the ecology and conservation of butterflies for more than 45 years, including research on threatened species, land-use management and climate change. He trained at Imperial College and University College London, and undertook a PhD on butterfly ecology at the University of Cambridge. He was butterfly specialist for the Nature Conservancy Council before joining Butterfly Conservation as their first Conservation Officer in 1993. He has recently retired as the Chief Executive of Butterfly Conservation, and currently holds a part-time position as Head of Development with Butterfly Conservation Europe. Martin has published more than 300 scientific papers during his career, as well as hundreds of reports, and is co-author of several books. In 2007 he won the Marsh Award for Insect Conservation from the Royal Entomological Society, and has appeared in the top 10 list of British conservationists in BBC Wildlife magazine. He was awarded an OBE for services to the environment in 2017.

A fascinating compendium of the latest scientific understanding -- Patrick Barkham * Guardian * What comes across loud and clear, however, is the author's love for the Lepidoptera to which he has dedicated his working life, and the potential for each of us to make a difference... Suffice to say, this book is highly recommended. -- Peter Eeles * Dispar, The Online Journal of Lepidoptera * An absolute beauty... a book for everyone. * Chris Packham * The book we butterfly lovers have all been waiting for - filling a gap between our atlases and field guides. Martin Warren delves into the extraordinary lives of Lepidopteras like no other... I've no doubt that generations of lepidopterists to come will be grateful. * BBC Wildlife Magazine * If you like butterflies (who doesn't?), care about them (who wouldn't?) and want to understand them better then this is a book for you. It's difficult to imagine that this will be anything other than a trusted, useful addition to your bookshelves for at least the decade to come. * Mark Avery * A book that makes you want to cheer. There's even a chapter called The Amorous Butterfly. Who could resist? -- Simon Barnes * Daily Express * Despite its British focus it will resonate globally and demands careful reading by butterfly enthusiasts everywhere. -- Arthur M. Shapiro * News of the Lepidopterists' Society * Every page of this new book by the former chief executive of Butterfly Conservation is infused with the passion and understanding of butterflies forged from a career devoted to the field. * Butterfly Conservation Magazine * Anyone looking to increase their knowledge and understanding of butterflies will find everything they are looking for in this well-written and beautifully illustrated volume. A wonderful addition to the bookshelf of any naturalist or conservationist. * Dorset Wildlife * Timely, much-needed and excellent... Anyone interested in butterflies should read it. * British Wildlife * After a lifetime researching British butterflies...it is not at all surprising that Martin Warren's highly readable volume slots precisely and seamlessly into this authoritative and informative stable. -- Richard Jones * Royal Entomological Society * An amazing read and contains, in a brilliantly written style, a wealth of information about the lives and issues facing British butterflies; I cannot recommend it highly enough. * Derbyshire Life & Countryside *