Peterson First Guide to Caterpillars of North America (Peterson First Guide (R)) [Paperback]

Amy Bartlett Wright (Author), Roger Tory Peterson (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Peterson First Guide (R)

Here is the first and only guide to a subject of great interest to gardeners, small children, and lepidopterists: caterpillars, the immature form of butterflies and moths. This guide describes 120 common species of these fuzzy creatures. All the caterpillars, their adult forms and many of their host plants are illustrated.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roger Tory Peterson, one of the world"s greatest naturalists, received every major award for ornithology, natural science, and conservation, as well as numerous honorary degrees, medals, and citations, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Peterson Identification System has been called the greatest invention since binoculars, and the Peterson Field Guides® are credited with helping to set the stage for the environmental movement.

Amy Bartlett Wright is a contributor for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt titles including: "Peterson Flash Guides - Butterflies".

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 2nd edition (May 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395911842
• ISBN-13: 978-0395911846
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 3.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #270,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science > Biological Sciences > Biology > Entomology
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Butterflies
  • #7 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Insects & Spiders

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST butterfly gardening resource available!, November 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Peterson First Guide to Caterpillars of North America (Peterson First Guide (R)) (Paperback)

Although this is supposed to be a children's book, the reference material on caterpillars is far more comprehensive than any adult book on the market, including the food plants of each species and illustrations of each caterpillar, its butterfly or moth stage, and often the egg and the chrysalis, as well. 120 species are included.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best, and only caterpillar book, August 19, 2000

By 

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

This review is from: Peterson First Guide to Caterpillars of North America (Peterson First Guide (R)) (Paperback)

As far as I know, this is the only caterpillar book available. We use it at our nature center on a daily basis. Not only does it have excellent illustrations, but it also lists the various host plants of each caterpillar. Next time a child brings you a caterpillar you can ID it and tell the child what it will need to eat to become a moth or butterfly. We couldn't live without it!

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Only Caterpillar Field Guide!, March 4, 2003

By 

mirasreviews (McLean, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Peterson First Guide to Caterpillars of North America (Peterson First Guide (R)) (Paperback)

If you've been looking for a book to help you identify caterpillars, you may have noticed that field guides for butterflies and moths are nearly useless in this regard. Entomologists don't seem to be nearly as fascinated with the larvae of these creatures as they are with the adults. But this is the guide you've been looking for! Although the First Guides are written for children, this book is suitable for adults as well and is by no means remedial. The book is made to take along at 3 3/4x7 1/4 inches in size and 128 pages long. It begins with an introduction to caterpillars which explains their structure, life cycle, protective mechanisms, and gives brief instructions for attracting and caring for caterpillars. This is followed by pictures and descriptions of 120 caterpillars. Each caterpillar is clearly illustrated for easy identification. Illustrations of the adult moths and butterflies are included, so you will know what the little critter will turn into. (All illustrations are drawings.) There is a description of each caterpillar which includes details of its appearance, size, diet, and where it is found. A few caterpillars that are dangerous to handle are marked with don't-handle signs. (They won't kill you; they cause skin irritation, pain, and rashes, at worst.)

Recommended for everyone who would like to know just what those caterpillars are and what they will become. A great gift for kids who like the outdoors. The book's only real shortcoming is that it is not comprehensive. We can always hope that the publisher will add more species in a later edition. In the meantime, this guide will enable you to identify most common species of caterpillar.