Philip's Guide to Butterflies of Britain and Ireland begins with a valuable introduction to butterflies, explaining the differences between butterflies and moths, the life cycle and structure of butterflies, their movement and migration patterns, and helpful information on the distribution and habitats of the main family groups so that readers will know at a glance which species they are likely to see and where - useful for both identification purposes and for those readers who want to find a specific species. The introductory section finishes with information for gardeners, detailing which plants to grow and when. Each section is illustrated with diagrams and photographs. There then follows an illustrated key to the main family groups, detailing principal physical and flight characteristics, as well as other key information to aid identification. The next section consists of 60 specific species descriptions. These comprise detailed identification notes for both adult and young stages, information on life cycle, habitat and behaviour, and distribution and status - all accompanied by life-cycle artwork and time charts, a distribution map and a large colour photograph.Finishing with photographs and information on the most common day-flying moths, Philip's Guide to Butterflies of Britain and Ireland is an essential guide for both experienced naturalists and newcomers to the subject.