British Pyralid Moths: A guide to their identification

Although usually grouped with the microlepidoptera, many of the pyrales are larger than some of the so-called macrolepidoptera, many are most attractively marked, such as those illustrated on the jacket, and several are familiar species such as the Small Magpie (Eurrhypara hortulata (Linn.)) and the Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis (Scop.)). However the Pyralidae remain comparatively neglected, being less known to amateur lepidopterists than most other families. It is almost 35 years since the publication of Beirne's British Pyralid and Plume Moths, which is long out-of-print and very scarce. Mr Goater's purpose is to stimulate interest by providing an up-to-date aid to the identification of the British pyralid moths and to expose some of the gaps in our knowledge. Beirne recorded 174 British species, but this work describes 208, the additional species being made up of new immigrants, migrants or accidental introductions. The family includes a number of important pest-species.The text aims to give a concise description of each species and its more striking races or forms, and to emphasise differences betWeen similar species. Information is also included on life histories, habits, seasonal occurrence and geographical distribution. There are eight plates depicting all the species on the British list, photographed in colour, and a colour frontispiece showing representatives of all the principal subfamilies, photographed in the wild. Line-drawings are included in a few instances where the study of wing venation or pattern or the genitalia are helpful for identification.

Author: Barry Goater
Publisher: Harley Books
Extra Details: Hardback + jacket 6 x 9 inches tall.175 pages. Lavishly illustrated with Colour plates and B&W illustrations.