The Butterflies of Iowa (Bur Oak Book) - Hardcover

Schlicht, Dennis W.; Downey, John C.; Nekola, Jeffrey C.

9781587295324: The Butterflies of Iowa (Bur Oak Book)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1587295326 ISBN 13: 9781587295324

Publisher: University of Iowa Press, 2007

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Review:

"A book on Iowa's butterflies is long overdue and the significance of this work simply cannot be overstated. The chapters on natural communities and on the history of Iowa butterfly study alone make it indispensable. Highly recommended."--Ron Royer, author of Butterflies of North Dakota

"Without a doubt, this is the most comprehensive guide to butterflies in Iowa. It provides information regarding both historic and present-day distributions relative to landforms, plant resources, and specific natural areas. In addition to the standard morphological descriptions, each species is described relative to flight time, natural history, and particular questions that need future research. An excellent source!"--Diane Debinski, Iowa State University

" A book on Iowa' s butterflies is long overdue and the significance of this work simply cannot be overstated. The chapters on natural communities and on the history of Iowa butterfly study alone make it indispensable. Highly recommended." -- Ron Royer, author of Butterflies of North Dakota

" Without a doubt, this is the most comprehensive guide to butterflies in Iowa. It provides information regarding both historic and present-day distributions relative to landforms, plant resources, and specific natural areas. In addition to the standard morphological descriptions, each species is described relative to flight time, natural history, and particular questions that need future research. An excellent source!" -- Diane Debinski, Iowa State University

Synopsis:

This beautiful and comprehensive guide, many years in the making, is a manual for identifying the butterflies of Iowa as well as 90 percent of the butterflies in the Plains states. It begins by providing information on the natural communities of Iowa, paying special attention to butterfly habitat and distribution. Next come chapters on the history of lepidopteran research in Iowa and on creating butterfly gardens, followed by an intriguing series of questions and issues relevant to the study of butterflies in the state. The second part contains accounts, organized by family, for the 118 species known to occur in Iowa. Each account includes the common and scientific names for each species, its Opler and Warren number, its status in Iowa, adult flight times and number of broods per season, distinguishing features, distribution and habitat, and natural history information such as behavior and food plant preferences. As a special feature of each account, the authors have included questions that illuminate the research and conservation challenges for each species.

In the third section, the illustrations, grouped for easier comparison among species, include color photographs of all the adult forms that occur in Iowa. Male and female as well as top and bottom views are shown for most species. The distribution maps indicate in which of Iowa's ninety-nine counties specimens have been collected; flight times for each species are shown by marking the date of collection for each verified specimen on a yearly calendar. The book ends with a checklist, collection information specific to the photographs, a glossary, references, and an index. The authors' meticulous attention to detail, stimulating questions for students and researchers, concern for habitat preservation, and joyful appreciation of the natural world make it a valuable and inspiring volume.

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