'British & Irish Butterfly Rarities' is the first book to focus solely on those butterfly species regarded as extinctions, rare migrants or introductions. There are 59 butterfly species that are considered resident or regular migrants to Britain and Ireland, yet there are another 63 species whose story deserves to be told.
The history of each extinct species, such as the Black-veined White and Large Copper, is spelled out, together with any reintroduction attempts. Our rarest migrants, such as the Camberwell Beauty and Long-tailed Blue, are also included, with a focus on those years when there have been large influxes and, in some cases, evidence of breeding. The book also discusses deliberate introductions, such as the European Map, as well as adventives that have been accidentally introduced, including the Geranium Bronze. Historical errors are also included, such as the infamous record of Albin's Hampstead Eye, an Indo-Australasian species.
The distribution, habitat, status and life cycle of all primary species is discussed in detail, accompanied by hundreds of lavish images of adults, eggs, caterpillars, chrysalides, habitat and foodplants. These are exciting times in terms of our butterfly fauna and the prospect of new species arriving on our shores, such as the Southern Small White, is also discussed.
This book complements the highly acclaimed 'Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies' by the same author.
