best guide - (1 Viewer)

C

childhood memories

Well-known member

• Jul 5, 2015

• #1

Hi - as an orchid hunter branching out which would you suggest is the best guide for a beginner - - not just pics - I like to read about the habitats, food, etc

Thanks

 

honeym

Well-known member

• Jul 5, 2015

• #2

Hi
You don't mention if it's butterflies, moths, or both that you need.
I'll assume that latter and say that a usefly first guide would be Chris Manley's British Moths and Butterflies - A photographic guide. There's also an app based on it (https://www.birdguides.com/products/appbimoths).
Martin

 

A

aeshna5

Well-known member

• Jul 5, 2015

• #3

honeym said:

Hi
You don't mention if it's butterflies, moths, or both that you need.
I'll assume that latter and say that a usefly first guide would be Chris Manley's British Moths and Butterflies - A photographic guide. There's also an app based on it (https://www.birdguides.com/products/appbimoths).
Martin

Click to expand...

Manley is now on the second edition which no longer includes butterflies (or the larval plates at the back) but is a better book for moths with greater coverage of micros. Personally I think it's good to have the butterflies dropped as they are so many excellent books that have them well suited.

If you want a good butterfly book with lots of information beyond ID (not for the field as it's too bulky) then I thoroughly recommend :

The Butterflies of Britain + Ireland (New revised edition) by Jeremy Thomas + Richard Lewington (British Wildlife Publishing)2014

Superb illustrations of all life history stages by our top entomological illustrator + so much information in the text- all totally readable + educational. Such a beautiful book!

 

S

smokenack

Well-known member

• Jul 5, 2015

• #4

The macro moth guide I've found the most helpful is Waring and Townsend. Nothing wrong with Manley I just find W&T easier to use.

For micros you can't beat the UKMoths website though you'll need to learn the families first to save yourself a lot of time. Sterling and Parsons is good for this.

 

A

aeshna5

Well-known member

• Jul 5, 2015

• #5

smokenack said:

The macro moth guide I've found the most helpful is Waring and Townsend. Nothing wrong with Manley I just find W&T easier to use.

For micros you can't beat the UKMoths website though you'll need to learn the families first to save yourself a lot of time. Sterling and Parsons is good for this.

Click to expand...

Agree with this but find the two complement each other.

 

Andy Hurley

Gotta love nature!

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Jul 5, 2015

• #6

I am a beginner and have the W&T. I find it suprisingly easy to use. I thought moth id would be a nightmare, but this book is good. I can't compare it to anything else though.

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Jul 6, 2015

• #7

Turning this on it's head a bit, what's the best Orchid guide for Europe?

Andy

 

C

childhood memories

Well-known member

• Jul 6, 2015

• #8

Many thanks -
re - best European orchid book - not sure as I stick to UK - my favourite UK is Harraps' Orchids of Britain and Ireland - "Ophrys: The Bee Orchids of Europe (Kew Botanical Magazine Monograph)" is great but limited to one group