A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America

Book excerpt: Moths . . . has long been recognized as the most authoritative introduction to the moths of eastern North America. Intended for nonspecialists, but greatly appreciated by intermediate and advanced users, this book identifies and describes more than 1300 species in 59 families. The 1300 species, which include at least one in each of the 59 families present in the region, are those most likely to be encountered in eastern North America. Introductory chapters describe the anatomy and life cycle of moths and processes of collecting and preparing specimens. For each species, the book includes a description during the adult stage, the range as it was known in 1984, the flight season for adults, their relative abundance, and selected other information. Individual moths are portrayed from above, with wings extended, in 63 plates, many in color, while selected anatomical features, primarily wing shape and venation patterns, are illustrated in 76 black-and-white line drawings and photographs.