Whether you are following the progress of a moth as it flutters around a street lamp or become captivated by the sight of a hawk-moth feeding from lavender, moths are everywhere. But can you tell a Peach Blossom from a Buff Arches? Or distinguish between a Cinnabar and a Six-spot Burnet? Mostly active by night, moths are often overlooked compared to colourful day-flying butterflies. But the UK is home to more than 2,500 moth species, many of which are beautiful and varied, with different wing shapes, sizes and patterns.
RSPB ID Spotlight: Moths is a reliable A5 fold-out chart that presents illustrations of 90 of our most widespread and familiar moths by renowned artist Richard Lewington.
- Species are grouped by family and helpfully labelled to assist with identification
- Artworks are shown side by side for quick comparison and easy reference at home or in the field
- The reverse of the chart provides information on the habitats, behaviour, life cycles and diets of our moths, as well as the conservation issues they are facing and how the RSPB and other conservation charities are working to support them
- Practical tips on how to monitor moth populations and turn your garden into a moth haven are also included
Richard Lewington is an acknowledged leader in the field of insect illustration. His meticulous paintings of wildlife are the mainstay of many of the modern classics of field-guide art, including Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland, Guide to Garden Wildlife, Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland, Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland and Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland. Richard has also designed and illustrated wildlife stamps for several countries. In 1999, he was awarded Butterfly Conservation's Marsh Award for the promotion of Lepidoptera conservation, and in 2010 the Zoological Society of London's Stamford Raffles Award for contributions to zoology. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society.
Marianne Taylor is a freelance writer, illustrator, photographer and editor. Marianne worked in publishing for seven years before taking the plunge as a freelancer in 2007. Since then, she has written more than 25 books for adults and children on a range of natural history subjects, including The Pocket Book of Insect Anatomy, RSPB British Naturefinder and The Way of the Hare. A passion for all wildlife, but especially birds, has always been a driving force in Marianne's life.