| By Carey Knox | John Beaufoy Publishing | 2024 | Paperback | 176 pages, 450 colour photos, 1 colour map | ISBN: 9781913679668
The Publisher’s View:
A Naturalist’s Guide to the Butterflies & Moths of Aotearoa New Zealand is an easy-to-use introductory identification guide to 361 species of butterflies and moths found in Aotearoa New Zealand High-quality photographs from the author and the region’s top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions, which include nomenclature, size, distribution, habits and habitats, and conservation information. The user-friendly introduction covers geography, habitats, moth and butterfly identification, survey methods and a glossary. The final section contains an all-important checklist of all of the Lepidoptera of New Zealand.
The Author: Carey Knox is a New Zealand-based ecologist and award-winning wildlife photographer, who specialises in Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) and herpetofauna (skinks and geckos). Carey’s main passion is improving conservation outcomes and increasing public awareness of Aotearoa’s beautiful butterflies, moths and lizards.
Fatbirder View:
I am a fan of John Beaufoy publications, there are many good guides. Having said that, the guides are not great for specialists, and designed for anyone with a general interest in the natural world.
For example, I know little about Lepidoptera but and interested and like to know what I am seeing… so both the NZ and Hong Kong books are ones I would pack if I was visiting there. The Australia bird guide would be surplus to requirements as there are five excellent bird fieldguides with bigger drawings pointing out ID features and much more in-depth coverage of the birds.
On the other hand, If I was a non-birder, visiting family down-under it would be a great space saver to give me a good chance of identifying most of the birds one is likely to encounter without setting out to see them.
The Butterfly and moth book may well find its way to my sister in NZ. She has many other interests, but that volume is perfect for ID the moths turning up on her porch etc.
In short, great little guides for those with general interests in wildlife and the nature around them.
Fatbirder