‘British & Irish Butterfly Rarities’ is the first book to focus solely on those butterfly species regarded as rare migrants, extinctions or introductions. There are 59 butterfly species that are considered resident or regular migrants to Britain and Ireland, yet there are another 62 species whose story deserves to be told.
Our rarest migrants, such as the Camberwell Beauty and Long-tailed Blue, are discussed in detail, with a focus on those years when there have been large influxes and, in some cases, evidence of breeding. The history of each extinct species, such as the Black-veined White and Large Copper, is also spelled out, together with any reintroduction attempts. The book also includes deliberate introductions, such as the European Map, as well as adventives that have been accidentally introduced, including the Geranium Bronze. Historical errors are also discussed, 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 are included, accompanied by hundreds of lavish images of adults, eggs, caterpillars, chrysalides, habitats 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.