RSPB ID Spotlight - Caterpillars by Marianne Taylor

RSPB ID Spotlight - Caterpillars by Marianne Taylor

RSPB ID Spotlight Caterpillars is a reliable fold-out chart that presents illustrations of 60 of our most widespread and familiar caterpillars by renowned artist Richard Lewington.

Whether you are out in the countryside or at work in the garden, you might encounter several different kinds of caterpillars. The larval stages of butterflies and moths, caterpillars come in many shapes, sizes and colours, and each has its own particular charm. But can you tell a Comma from a Small Tortoiseshell? Or distinguish between the caterpillar of a Drinker and Fox Moth? These are only a few of the hundreds of caterpillars found in the UK, many of which are just as beautiful and varied as their adult counterparts.

Species are grouped by family and helpfully labelled to assist with identification, while artworks are shown side by side for quick comparison and easy reference at home or in the field. The reverse of the chart provides information on the habitats, behaviour, life cycles and diets of our caterpillars, as well as the conservation issues they are facing and how the RSPB and other conservation charities are working to support them. Practical tips on how to make your garden more caterpillar-friendly are also included

The ID Spotlight charts help wildlife enthusiasts identify and learn more about our most common species using accurate colour illustrations and informative, accessible text.

Richard Lewington is an acknowledged leader in the field of insect illustration. His meticulous paintings of wildlife are the mainstay of many of the modern classics of field-guide art, including Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland, Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland, Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland and Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland. In 1999, he was awarded Butterfly Conservation's Marsh Award for the promotion of Lepidoptera conservation, and in 2010 the Zoological Society of London's Stamford Raffles Award for contributions to zoology. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society.

Marianne Taylor is a freelance writer, illustrator, photographer and editor. Marianne worked in publishing for seven years before taking the plunge as a freelancer in 2007. Since then, she has written more than 25 books for adults and children on a range of natural history subjects, including The Pocket Book of Insect Anatomy, RSPB British Naturefinder and The Way of the Hare. A passion for all wildlife, but especially birds, has always been a driving force in Marianne's life.