The Life Cycles of Butterflies: From Egg to Maturity, a Visual Guide to 23 Common Garden Butterflies

NB: This book is oriented to common butterflies of the US/North America. The remainder of this review will be in the context of its value to a reader in the continental US. This is a very good book, tainted by failings with regards to discussion of host plants and nectar source plants. The presentation of a fair number of butterfly species from egg through larval stages to imago (adult) is clear, well done, and attractive. It is also well organized, featuring a uniform layout of photos and information for each species. The book opens with an introduction to butterflies in general, which is a nice resource for those with only the barest familiarity with Lepidoptera. The information regarding host plants presented there, however, doesn’t always correspond well with the section on host plants—at least several plants mentioned in the butterfly life cycles section are not included in the section on host plants. In addition, there is woefully insufficient attention given to use of native plants, and properly noting which plants discussed are natives or not. [NB: The authors use an asterisk with plants they say are potentially invasive non-natives. They do not, however, indicate native status for all of the plants they present, a task which easily could have been completed.] A sizable minority of the host plants described are non-native, and they use an asterisk with Ulmus spp. (elm trees), even though elms are quite obviously native to the US, and they do the same with Humulus spp. (hops), even though the Common Hop is a North American native as well. They go farther into the weeds, so to speak, with their listing of “top nectar flowers”. Of the thirteen listed, nine are non-natives—though some, like Cosmos spp. and Lantana camara, are naturalized to some extent in the southern US. Thus, they describe only four (4!) native nectar source plants. The book was published in 2006, and given its success in sales and garnering awards, appropriate updating, especially with regards to discussion of native plants as both hosts and nectar sources, is both warranted and sorely needed.Summary—excellent presentation of the basics of life cycles of nearly two-dozen common butterflies of the US, with uniformly superior photographs and succinct descriptions. Fair-to-partly cloudy presentation of host plants and “top nectar flowers”, with much too little attention given to native plants as real, and excellent, options.

This is supposed to be a children'sbook, but any adult interested in detailed information about 23 common varieties of butterflies will find it very useful. There are photos at the end of the book of other common butterflies that the author was not able to get photos of the complete life cycle. The quality of photography is very good.

There aren't many books out there that feature quality photographs identifying butterflies and caterpillars by species. This book does that and more. Although it only features those species that occur in the region in which the authors live (Kentucky is their home state,) the book shows clear pictures of each life stage: egg, caterpillar in both early and late stages, chrysallis, and adult butterfly. Each species also has useful information listed in the text, such as known host plant(s) and favored nectar plants. There are also some additional species shown as adults in the back of the book for which the authors have yet to photo-document an entire life cycle. I have seen this listed as a children's book, and it would be appropriate for many children, but I find it quite beautiful and informative enough to be suitable for adults as well. I've been gardening for birds, butterflies and bees for years now. One of my successes was having Black Swallowtail caterpillars the very first year I grew dill for them. But when I bought this book I was able to locate and identify the tiny eggs, and observe the entire life cycle of this species. I live in the Mid-Atlantic region, and most of the butterflies profiled in the book also occur in my area. Some species profiled occur over most of the U.S.--like the Monarch and Painted Lady-- but some are more limited in range. If you live on the Pacific coast, for instance, you might not see many of these butterflies. The photos are still beautiful. The insects featured are still fascinating. And the format of the book is user-friendly.

Basic guide to butterflies and their lifecycle. Author recommends non native and invasive pollen sources such as butterfly bush. But at the time of it was written, the importance of natives was not widely shared. I was hoping for an exhaustive list of host plants rather than one or two.

Science part nothing great - didn’t add any thing to my general knowledge from high school. mostly just nice pics.

This is a great book resource for the backyard gardener. I panicked when I couldn't find my copy Friday evening, so I ordered another and one for my friend. We both received our copy on Sunday! That's service. The book has good photos and is organized in a rational way. Each of the 23 butterflies is shown with wings open as well as closed, eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalis. At the back of the book are three pages which show comparisons of eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalises. In addition, each caterpillar section includes photos of host plants and nectar plants.

I wanted to learn how to promote butterfly 🦋 attendance in my garden beds. This book is wonderful! It's not just for children, adults can benefit from it as well. It delivered on what I needed to know about butterflies, and even more. Great book to have on your shelf at home for general reference in any household.

Totally geared at butterflies in the USA. Yet not indicated in your blurb.Very disappointed

El libro llegó un poco maltratado de la portada con pequeños detalles, pero lo recompensa el precio en que lo agarré, además me sorprendió lo grande que esta el libro y muy ilustrativo.