Field Guide to Butterflies of Seychelles: Their Natural History and Conservation

Designed for easy use in the field, Field Guide to Butterflies of Their Natural History and Conservation, features all 39 species and subspecies so far recorded from the Seychelles Archipelago. Of these 39 taxa, three are considered extinct, with a further five either non-resident or very rare. Of particular interest are the endemic species and subspecies of which there are eight in Euploea mitra, Euploea rogeri, Phalanta philiberti, Colotis evanthe evanthides, Papilio phorbanta nana, Belenois aldabrensis, Eurema floricola aldabrensis and Borbo borbonica morella. Photographs of living butterflies of most species, and oil paintings of all species make identification simple. Furthermore, all butterflies are illustrated in a series of 14 plates, which will help with the identification of similar-looking taxa. A brief account of the habits, flight periods, habitat, distribution, larval food plants, and taxonomy (where applicable) of each taxon is provided. The detailed introductory section discusses Seychelles geography, climate, vegetation and butterfly biology, including taxonomy, life cycle, adult intraspecific variation, mimicry, biogeography and conservation. An index to scientific and common names is included.