A Field Guide to Australian Butterflies

Abstract

Robert Fisher believes that an increased awareness about conserving the remaining unique biota of Australia has created a desire in many people to identify and understand the biology of organisms. A Field Guide to Australian Butterflies is a useful way to impart such biological information to those who wish to explore the natural world around them. The objective of this field guide is to provide a book of photographs which aid in the identification and appreciation of some two hundred Australian butterfly species, about half of the total described species in this country. The field guide provides a brief but adequate introduction explaining the classification, life histories, morphology and geographic distribution of Australian butterflies. It is then divided into sections corresponding to the six families of butterflies represented in Australia. Each section gives a brief overview of the unique morphological characters, geographic distribution and life cycle of that family. A noteworthy feature of this guide is the inclusion of several pages of excellent photographs of early life stages at the beginning of each family section. Ideally, though, it would have been desirable to have photographs of the early life stages for all species presented, to complement the adult photographs.