The Life history of Theclinae butterflies in Taiwan | 臺灣翠灰蝶生活史

Description:

Text Chinese with scientific names in Latin. Anyone who has studied butterflies in Taiwan knows about a group of ‘green jewels’ living in the mountain forests - the Theclinae butterflies. They are loved by many people, yet they always feel out of reach and are very hard to observe. The Theclinae family is also one of the most difficult butterfly groups in Taiwan to research, so past studies have never given a complete introduction.

This book fills in the final and most challenging piece of the puzzle. It records the life histories of 27 species of Theclinae butterflies found in Taiwan. For the first time, the complete life history of the Golden Theclinae is introduced, along with the first published ecological photos of the adult Jin-Ping Line Blue and Atayal Theclinae. The book gives detailed records of most species, covering every stage from egg, larva, and pupa to adult butterfly, and also explores the behaviours and reproduction of the adults.

The book contains over 3500 high-quality photos. These include clear images of adults, eggs, larvae, and pupae, with detailed records of their features. It also presents close-up views of microscopic structures, such as eggs, heads, and forelegs - images that have never been seen before. These provide fresh perspectives and new insights into Taiwan’s Theclinae butterflies.

In addition, the book describes in detail the ecological behaviours of both adults and larvae, introduces their host plants, and lists the best places to observe them. Whether you are a butterfly lover or a professional researcher, you can gain valuable knowledge and discoveries from it. Even more special, the book also shares behind-the-scenes stories from the research process, allowing readers to feel the challenges, efforts, and joy of discovery, adding a human touch to the science.