Butterflies of the Western Palaearctic Vol. 2: Lycaenidae (Agrodiaetus), Riodinidae, Nymphalidae: Libytheinae, Danainae, Charaxinae, Apaturinae, Limenitidinae, Nymphalinae, Heliconiinae, Satyrinae

Description:

The second of a 2-volume set covering butterflies of the West Palaearctic region from the Azores and Canary Islands through Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Iraq, Iran, and the Caucasus to the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains, western Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and the eastern border of Turkmenistan.

* With full-colour photographs of over 12,000 specimens, depicting both males and females, upper sides and undersides, type specimens, and a multitude of rare species and subspecies;

* Approximately 12,000 colour photographs capturing butterflies in their natural habitats, alongside historical imagery of biotopes, some of which have been regrettably destroyed in recent years;

* More than 900 colour distribution maps.

In addition to the traditional systematic checklist presented in the first volume, the colour section of both volumes introduces an illustrated schematic overview at the beginning of each family. This enables the reader to evaluate both the number of species and their diversity.

The accompanying text meticulously covers nomenclature, distribution, ecological, and phenological data, whilst seamlessly addressing complex taxonomic issues. For numerous species, key diagnostic features are detailed and illustrated, ensuring reliable identification based on both external and internal morphology. The Butterflies of the Western Palaearctic is not merely a transient publication like so many contemporary works, but a monumental milestone in the study of Lepidoptera. This edition synthesises the most important information and knowledge accumulated over the past 300 years, presented in a user-friendly format.