European butterfly books

[robpartridge]

I would be grateful for anyone's recommendations for, or thoughts concerning, the best books about European butterflies - identification yes, but I'm also interested in distribution, change and putting British species in their wider context.

Thanks in anticipation,

Rob

[Padfield]

Hi Rob. I have dozens of books on the European species, at continental, country and regional level. If you're starting out, and want to buy just a few essentials, there are definitely some that stick out. First, even though it is wildly out of date, Tolman & Lewington (https://www.pemberleybooks.com/product/ ... ide/16777/) is a must for your bookshelf, like the Bible and the Complete Works of Shakespeare. That link was for the paperback - the hardback is apparently out of print, but I'm sure it's possible to get hold of it. Because its taxonomy is now so wrong, you need something more up-to-date to supplement it, and I would suggest either Tshikolovets (https://www.pemberleybooks.com/product/ ... rea/21729/), which is also sadly out of print or Leraut (https://www.napeditions.com/en/39-butte ... gions.html). Both these are comprehensive (they slightly disagree on taxonomy in certain cases) and copiously illustrated with set specimens (and some photos of live specimens in the Tshikolovets book). Tshikolovets includes no hints on identification but Leraut has quite detailed similar species sections. Usefully, Tshikolovets has maps with different colours for the different subspecies, even though some of the colours are so similar you need to put the book under a very bright light to distinguish them! Neither comes close to Tolman for ease of identification. For life histories, Lafranchis has produced a book similar in ambition to Pete's books on the life histories of the British butterflies, but on the butterflies of France - La vie des papillons. It is out of print too, but can be ordered as a free pdf directly from the author here: http://diatheo.weebly.com/la-vie-des-papillons.html. The accompanying CD has good distribution maps for France.

Guy

[robpartridge]

Thank you, Guy, this is helpful. Both the Tolman and Lewington, and the Leraut are on my shortlists already, so really useful comments. I have some photos from visits to The Dordogne years ago which I'd like to confirm, though I've used your own site to get some id's! I'll certainly see if I can track down hardback copies. It's a shame to see how quickly these books go out of print,

Rob

[David M]

I've heard rumours that Martin Wiemers, the German entomologist, may work on a field guide to European butterflies.

I'd love a new guide from someone like that, especially if it included Richard Lewington's illustrations rather than photographs of the butterflies.

The Tolman guide is still the best in my opinion, but it is now hopelessly out of date regarding taxonomy.

[robpartridge]

David - I think once you've reached a certain age, one is forever out of date as far taxonomy is concerned. It's the same with music and fiction - I only listen to and read old things now...

I absolutely agree that Richard Lewington's paintings will always be superior to any photograph,

Rob