Moths are often thought of as the ugly cousins of butterflies, yet their colours can be just as remarkable and, with over 20,000 species in Australia, their biology and lifestyles are far more diverse.
With striking colour photographs of live moths in their natural habitat, this guide illustrates all the major moth families in Australia, including some rarely seen species. It provides many curious facts about the unusual aspects of moth biology, including details on day-flying species, camouflage, moths that mimic wasps, larvae with stinging hairs, and larvae that have gills. This easy-to-read book includes sections on the iconic Witjuti grubs, Bogong moths, the giant-tailed Hercules moths of northern Queensland (one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan of over 25 cm), moths that release hydrocyanic acid in their defence, and moths that produce ultrasonic calls that bats learn to associate with a bad taste.
A Guide to Australian Moths highlights the environmental role of moths, their relationships with other animals and plants, and their importance to humans. It provides a unique introduction to the extraordinary diversity of moths found in Australia.
The first well-illustrated guide to Australian moths aimed at a general readership
Treats all 82 families of Australian moths
Provides an introduction to moth biology and camoflage
Copiously illustrated with high quality photographs
"Brilliantly illustrated, it should peak the curiosity of anyone with concerns for understanding life and the world around us. Not only the beauty of the creatures shown, but of their relationships both structural and biological that are succinctly described."
Rudi Mattoni, Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera, 41: p.85, 2002 (2009)
"This book is to be recommended. It is an intelligent and clear introduction to the moth fauna of Australia, suited to those who would like to understand more about this order of insects." Peter Marriott, The Victorian Naturalist, vol. 124, No. 4, August 2007
"It's an endlessly fascinating world, and this book adds a bit more to our understanding and enjoyment of it." Ian Fraser, ABC Radio, October 2007
"A landmark in progressively making these insects more familiar to non-specialists." T.R. New, Journal of Insect Conservation, 2007
"CSIRO Publishing and the authors are to be congratulated on producing this most interesting and useful book which I enthusiastically recommend to both amateur lepidopterists and the general natural history readership." John T. Moss, Australian Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club newsletter, September 2007
Paul Zborowski is a qualified entomologist and photographer with over 25 years experience of field based study of insects and related creatures in habitats all over the world's tropics. He is the published author of a number of insect reference works including the Whitley Award winning Field Guide to Insects of Australia. He has a vast photo library of insect images, which he has built up over 30 years.
Ted Edwards worked on Australian moths for more than 30 years at CSIRO’s Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC) in Canberra. He has published widely in the fields of insect classification, nomenclature, biology, behaviour, collecting and handling.
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