100 Butterflies and Moths: Portraits from the Tropical Forests of Costa Rica

Science News,  May 5, 2007  

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100 BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS: Portraits from the Tropical Forests of Costa Rica JEFFREY C. MILLER, DANIEL H. JANZON, AND WINIFRED HALLWACHS

From the authors of 100 Caterpillars. Portraits from the Tropical Forests of Costa Rica (2006, Harvard) comes this new book dedicated to the moths and butterflies of the Guanacaste Area of Conservation. The reserve is a wild area in the northwestern portion of Costa Rica, equal in size to New York City and its suburbs. This book presents the site's winged beauties in vivid detail. Wings with striking colors and markings not only keep the insects aloft, but also transmit a variety of messages, serve as camouflage, and attract mates. The authors present a compilation of the 28 years of research that they've conducted in the conservation area with the aid of local lepidoptera collectors. Details emerge of moth and butterfly behavior, their metamorphoses, the conservation area's environment, and the effort that goes into identifying and classifying these animals in both their caterpillar and adult stages. The book also presents 100 moths and butterflies, one per page, set on black backgrounds that emphasize the insects' colors. Belknap Press, 2007, 256 p., color images, hardcover, $39.95.

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