Butterflies of the World [Hardcover]

Valerio Sbordoni (Author), Saverio Forestiero (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1998

What does a moth with a foot-long wingspan eat?
How far back do butterfly fossils date... 30 million years or 130 million?
And, why do Norwegians, Alaskans, and Manitobans see polar fritillary butterflies only every other year?

Butterflies of the World, by distinguished lepidopterists Saverio Forestiero and Valerio Sbordoni, answers these questions and many more. It is the most comprehensive volume on the subject.

Not simply a listing of species by illustrations, this book offers a fresh approach. Each lavishly illustrated chapter discusses one aspect of the inter-relationships of the world of butterflies: their evolution, life cycle, geographical distribution, demography and migrations, and strategies against predators.

With its concise text and more that 200 illustrations, including 125 color plates, Butterflies of the World provides everything you need to know to identify and understand 2,500 of the world's most entrancing species.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Libraries that do not already own this lovely, accessible, and informative description of butterflies (and some moths) and their evolution, anatomy, physiology, and ecology will want to seriously consider this edition. Translated from the Italian, it is by two eminent zoologists who study the population biology of butterflies throughout the world. Aimed at the lay reader and butterfly enthusiast, but suitable for the serious student, the information has been synthesized and presented in logical groupings with beautifully rendered illustrations. The use of maps, charts, and plant and animal illustrations to support the presentation of butterflies in nature adds to the teaching qualities of this book. For example, seeing the Phoebus parnassian on a stonecrop at a mountain tree line is a pleasure that is vicariously available to readers of this book, wherever they may be.

Treatment is organized into chapters that cover subjects such as behavior and distribution. The several font sizes used for the text are small, but the depth, breadth, and amount of information dictate that in a book this size. The butterflies selected to represent the families, habitats, geographical distribution, and behaviors are frequently presented near life-size and in relation to other species. The narrative combines good science with good science writing. The bibliography includes the classic field guides and other books on the butterflies of the world. The table of contents and the index provide access to specific information, but this is also a book to browse, sample, and enjoy for its beauty, careful layout, and wealth of information.

There are very few reference books that deal with insects and fewer still that are devoted to butterflies. Recommended for academic libraries and for public libraries needing more than what can be found in field guides or general encyclopedias.

Language Notes

Text: English, Italian (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552092100
• ISBN-13: 978-1552092101
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,502,316 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Butterflies of the World, February 11, 2001

By 

Jeanie "madkatz1" (Florida, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Butterflies of the World (Hardcover)

If you want to know the anatomy and physiology of butterflies this is the book to get. It tells you EVERYTHING about butterflies and has beautiful, colorful pictures to add to this great book. It has so much detail... a very comprehensive addition to your library. And it looks so nice you'll want it on top of your cocktail table!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful picture book!!, January 23, 2009

By 

K Tindel (AUSTIN, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Butterflies of the World (Hardcover)

I purchased this book in order to frame some of the prints. They make great wall art and offer full pages of butterflies making it very easy to frame the print without text. Their are tons of drawn color prints to chose from in this book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Butterfly House Companion Guide, February 1, 2003

By 

Thea M. Ryan (South Dakota, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Butterflies of the World (Hardcover)

If you love visiting of the new year-round butterfly houses popping up around the U.S., you can't live without this book. It is an excellent companion to your walks through the conservatories.