MOTHS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (1975)

Publisher's coarse cream cloth binding with illustrated dust jacket.

273pp. Illustrated.

Binding tight. Contents clean.

'Moths present unlimited opportunities of discovery, pleasure and satisfaction in Southern Africa, with its wide range of vegetation and great variety of moths. The belief that most of them are dull grey or brown insects is far removed from reality.

In fact this authoritative book proves that moths often excel butterflies with their bright, ethereal, iridescent colours. Moths of Southern Africa, describes and illustrates the more interesting or the commonest species likely to be encountered in Southern Africa. Many Pyralids and other "micros", as well as "macros", are included, but the emphasis is on the more familiar species and those of special interest, particularly those of economic importance.

Most important to the general reader in the introductory part of the book, which introduces the reader to moth-collecting. Of much interest in the descriptions are the notes on derivation of names, and references to peculiar adaptations such as mimicry and industrial melanism.

The book is sufficiently detailed to set any enthusiast on the right road. Most of our pests in this group - army worms, codlins, bollworms, etc. - are described in some detail and there is a brief index to these, in order to assist the farmer or the gardener. The index to host plants will be of use to laymen as well as students.

The student will also find the notes on systematics, distribution, synonymy, references and key to families a great help. But visual identification is easier to follow than elaborate lists. This book contains text figures in black and white and 63 colour plates. Some species are illustrated for the first time - a great many of them for the first time in colour.

Moths of Southern Africa is a readable and practical book. Beautifully illustrated, factual yet not too technical, it is a popular reference book of rare quality.'