Good general European butterfly book (1 Viewer)

markgrubb

Leading a life of quiet desperation

• Jun 19, 2011

• #1

I'm looking for a decent not too large European butterfly guide. Not to big and portable for holidays-something to help me identify butterflies when abroad. I've had a quick look through Amazon and nothing leaps out at me. The Collins guide seems a possibility but gets poorish reviews. Any one have a good recommendation?

 

John Cantelo

Well-known member

• Jun 19, 2011

• #2

Personally, I think many of the complaints vis a vis the Collins butterfly guide were of the nitpicking variety and that if you simply want a book to ID what you see it's still the best in my opinion. However, the new photo-guide "Butterflies of Britain and Europe" by Tari Haahtela et al is smaller, looks user friendly and should do the trick. See http://www.nhbs.com/butterflies_of_britain_and_europe_bkfno_186680.html

However, I'm a birder not a butterfly man so wait for an expert view!

 

g8ina

He's pining for the Fjords !

• Jun 19, 2011

• #3

+1 for the Collins, I'm very pleased with mine.

 

Surreybirder

Ken Noble

• Jun 20, 2011

• #4

I use Tolman and Lewington, though I have the Princeton Field Guides edition.

 

chris butterworth

aka The Person Named Above

• Jun 20, 2011

• #5

Collins for me. Cracking book.

Chris

 

Adam W

Well-known member

• Jun 20, 2011

• #6

Just bought the Collins last week and cant see why anyone would complain about it,its excellent.

 

markgrubb

Leading a life of quiet desperation

• Jun 20, 2011

• #7

Thanks everyone-looks like a thumbs up for Collins

 

Davebutterflyman

Well-known member

• Jun 20, 2011

• #8

The Tristan Lafranchis guide offers an excellent key with diagnostic indentifiers that help determine some of the more tricky fritillary and lycaenidae species.Ok...it's not particulary cheap but you will in time find it an invaluable reference.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Butterflies...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308583283&sr=1-1