The Life Cycles of Butterflies: From Egg to Maturity, a Visual Guide to 23 Common Garden Butterflies [Paperback]

Judy Burris (Author), Wayne Richards (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2006

For everyone who has ever marveled as a butterfly magically emerges from a chrysalis, this book is a treasure chest of amazing butterfly transformations. You are invited to experience the life cycles of  common backyard butterflies in this unique collection of hundreds of stunning, full-color, up-close photos, all taken in a live garden setting. Each butterfly is shown from start to maturity, with sequential photographs of the egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and emerging butterfly. This richly visual guide to the life cycles of butterflies will appeal to wildlife enthusiasts, gardeners, teachers, and families alike.
This book has earned two national awards from Learning Magazine --
(1) Teacher's Choice Award for "Children's Books"
(2) Teacher's Choice Award for "Product of Excellence for the Family."

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Accomplishing exactly what its title promises, this book describes in text and photos the butterflies that commonly visit gardens in the eastern states. The authors, a sibling team of butterfly and gardening enthusiasts, detail every phase of each species. Beginning with a chapter that looks at the basics of butterfly egg laying, the growth of caterpillars, metamorphosis, and butterfly behavior, the authors move to the heart of the book. With exquisite close-up photography, the eggs, caterpillars, chrysalids, and adults of 23 well-known butterflies are revealed. The reader is treated to the almost architectural forms of eggs; caterpillars that can be striped, spotted, spiny, or smooth; and chrysalids that may be ornamented with flecks of gold or camouflaged to resemble a dead leaf. Adult butterflies are depicted both with wings open and folded. A field notes section for each species supplies photos of host plants and nectar plants, a map of the breeding range, and a life-size silhouette. This tidy book offers the single best resource for photos of the complete life cycle of butterflies. Nancy Bent
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

There are so many wonderful aspects of this book.  First the photography will blow you away.  These pictures were taken in Judy and her brother's garden as they were documenting these beautiful creatures....If you love butterflies, then I recommend you add this book to your library.  I think it makes a great gift for children, teachers, wildlife enthusiasts and gardeners. 
-- Donna Donabella (GardensEyeView.com)

"…a remarkable visual resource and guidebook for butterfly lovers of all ages."— Ethel Fried, Manchester (Conn.) Journal Inquirer, Sept. 30, 2006 (Ethel Fried Manchester (CT) Journal Inquirer )

“A well-written and well-photographed text about how butterflies become beneficial insects.”—Kathy Huber, Houston Chronicle (Kathy Huber Houston Chronicle )

“The dazzling, close-up photos and compelling writing make this easily accessible to young readers…”
—Cecilia Goodnow, San Antonio Express-News (Cecilia Goodnow San Antonio Express-News )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580176178
• ISBN-13: 978-1580176170
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.6 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Butterflies
  • #74 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Nature & Wildlife

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! July 30, 2006

By E. Landis

Format:Hardcover

This book is the result of research by experts that are able to teach others in most practical ways. Along with that, the photos are beautiful and give a glimpse into the intermost workings of nature that a reader has never seen or imagined. Practical guides for planting your own butterfly garden will give you a taste of paradise in your own back yard. A "must have" for anyone intereted in butterflies, from the seasoned to the novice seeking to know more about the subject.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book January 13, 2011

By Li Roth

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

There aren't many books out there that feature quality photographs identifying butterflies and caterpillars by species. This book does that and more. Although it only features those species that occur in the region in which the authors live (Kentucky is their home state,) the book shows clear pictures of each life stage: egg, caterpillar in both early and late stages, chrysallis, and adult butterfly.

Each species also has useful information listed in the text, such as known host plant(s) and favored nectar plants. There are also some additional species shown as adults in the back of the book for which the authors have yet to photo-document an entire life cycle.

I have seen this listed as a children's book, and it would be appropriate for many children, but I find it quite beautiful and informative enough to be suitable for adults as well.

I've been gardening for birds, butterflies and bees for years now. One of my successes was having Black Swallowtail caterpillars the very first year I grew dill for them. But when I bought this book I was able to locate and identify the tiny eggs, and observe the entire life cycle of this species.

I live in the Mid-Atlantic region, and most of the butterflies profiled in the book also occur in my area. Some species profiled occur over most of the U.S.--like the Monarch and Painted Lady-- but some are more limited in range. If you live on the Pacific coast, for instance, you might not see many of these butterflies. The photos are still beautiful. The insects featured are still fascinating. And the format of the book is user-friendly.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written book! September 5, 2010

By J. Smith

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this for my five-year-old for her birthday to accompany the butterfly kit. Some info is a little advanced, but most of it, she understands and is fascinated by it. The photographs are great, and the layout is spot on.