"Zygaenid moths form one of the most striking groups of moths. Their conspicious diurnal habits and phenotype render them not only valuable study objects for the taxonomist and biogeographer, but evern more so for the ecologist and conservationist." - Miriam Rothschild
A complete handbook to this beautiful but endangered moth family, famous for their fascinating biology. The Zygaenidae generally have a metallic sheen and often prominent spots of red or yellow. The bright colours are a warning to predators that the moths are distasteful – they contain hydrogen cyanide (HCN) throughout all stages of their life cycle. If they’re situated in a place without cyanide-producing plants, they synthesize it themselves. The book includes everything from distribution (with maps!) to the history of the family, detailed species accounts and facts on ecology, life stages and identification.
Format: Hardcover
Authors: The Western Palearctic Zygaenidae
Pages: 305
Dimensions: 175x245x20 mm
Weight: 976 g
Publication: 1999
Publisher: Apollo Books
ISBN: 9788 78875 7156
Language: English