Moths: A Complete Guide to Biology and Behavior

by David Lees, Alberto Zilli

Overview

Accessible introduction to the biology, life cycle, natural history, and classification of moths

Moths are a crucial insect group encompassing more than 160,000 species, and they are among the most ancient of Earth's inhabitants, with some fossils believed to be 190 million years old. This richly illustrated guide to their biology, evolution, and history demonstrates the incredible diversity of these winged insects and reveals the ruthless survival tactics used by some—including blood-sucking moths, cannibalism in the cocoon, and carnivorous caterpillars. The book also explores their extraordinary life cycle, charting development from egg to larva to cocoon to airborne adult, as well as the surprising variations of color and wing patterns that moths have evolved. Engaging narrative and specially commissioned photographs of moth specimens make Moths: A Complete Guide to Biology and Behavior a perfect gift book for scientists and science enthusiasts alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781588346544
Publisher:	Smithsonian Institution Press
Publication date:	10/29/2019
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	393,776
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

DAVID LEES is Curator of Microlepidoptera at the Natural History Museum, London. ALBERTO ZILLI is Curator of Lepidoptera at the Natural History Museum, London.

Editorial Reviews

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
“Lees and Zilli detail the physical descriptions and needs of moths and offer many eye-catching pictures, drawings, and diagrams. The authors discuss the basics of biology, including mating and feeding, but students might find chapters on moth warfare and their effects on humans especially fascinating. There is also a sprinkling of the history of moths and moth research.”
–Kim Gardner, Fort Worth Country Day School, TX

From the Publisher

11/01/2019

Gr 9 Up—Lees and Zilli detail the physical descriptions and needs of moths and offer many eye-catching pictures, drawings, and diagrams. The authors discuss the basics of biology, including mating and feeding, but students might find chapters on moth warfare and their effects on humans especially fascinating. There is also a sprinkling of the history of moths and moth research. The book often refers to scientific classifications, so students who have no knowledge of taxonomy (kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species) or binomial nomenclature (Latin names) might find the text difficult. VERDICT This is not the book for the idle insect enthusiast wanting pretty pictures with simple text. Suitable in a secondary school library with a need for specific, high-level titles on order Lepidoptera or moths.—Kim Gardner, Fort Worth Country Day School, TX

School Library Journal