Butterflies of the Indian Region

AUTHOR: Wynter Blyth, M.A.
PUBLISHER: Today & Tomorrow’s Printers and Publishers
ISBN: 9788170192329
YEAR: 1957 (Originally Published), 1982 (First Indian Reprint), 2009 (Second Reprint)
PAGES: 523
SIZE: 16 X 25 X 3.6 cms.
BINDING: Hard
LANGUAGE: English

ABOUT THE BOOK: Previous books on Indian butterflies have been almost entirely concerned with their Identification. They dealt with them as objects to collect rather then as living breathing animals. They provided excellent though sometimes complicated keys for the proper recognition of the butterflies after they had become specimens for the store boxes, but told little of how these interesting and attractive insects lived.
It is mainly in this respect that butterflies of the Indian Region is different. For beside the lavish illustrations and workman like keys and descriptions for identification, it provides authentic concise information concerning the early stages. Foodstuffs of the caterpillars, enemies, habits and ecology and many other aspects that primarily concern the living insect.
The author has collected and studied Indian butterflies for over two decades in practically all their major habitats, from the tropical rain forests of the Western Ghats to the high Himalayan meadows. His special interest in biological studies is apparent throughout the work, and he has taken full advantage of the researches and writings of the late T.R.D. Bell in Kanarato supplement his accounts.
INDIA. The land of sunshine, is a land of Butterflies; for, though in the arid plains of the north insect-life languishes during the dry months, it revives marvellously when periodic rains set in. The study of Entomology is, therefore, an interesting recreation for those who can pursue it. When restricted to Butterflies. It offers a filed for scientific enquiry of the highest importance in connection especially with the origin of species and other congnate questions. The field of observation offered by India is as varied as it is vast. Here we have every climate from eternal snows to the tropics and all the most interesting phenomena of Entomology may here he studied in life.
The scientists who have taken up the study on the subject have worked under difficulties sufficient to dishearten to most ardent students because no attempt has been made to bring the study of science within the reach of the public. The published information is scattered over numerous works which being out of print are not available. The older books deal with butterflies from all parts of the world and the more recent papers deal with particularly localities consisting of bare and incomplete lists of names. With distinctions of a few species.
It has been well-nay impossible under such circumstances for collectors of butterflies to name their own species.
It was to fill such void that Bombay Natural History society published 'Butterflies of the Indian Region' by WYNTER-BLYTH in 1953 which unfortunately for the Scientists soon ran out of print.
We, therefore, in order to restore this lost treasure of research work have brought out its facsimile reprint in limited quantity at high cost.

CONTENTS:
1. INTRODUCTION
    KEY TO FIELD IDENTIFICATION OF THE COMMONEST BUTTERFLIES
    A KEY TO THE FAMILIES OF BUTTERFLIES
2. COLLECTING AND PRESERVING
3. EARLY STAGES
4. PROTECTION FROM ENEMIES
5. BUTTERFLY MIGRATION
6. THE DANAIDS (Danaidae)
7. THE SATYRIDS (Satyridae)
8. THE AMATHUSIIDS (Amathusiidae)
9. THE NYMPHALIDS (Nymphalidae)
10. THE ACRAEIDS (Acraeidae)
11. THE ERYCINIDS (Erycinidae)
12. THE LYCAENIDS, OR THE BLUES (Lycaenidae)
13. THE PAPILIOS, OR THE SWALLOWTAILS (Papilionidae)
14. THE PIERIDS, OR THE WHITES AND YELLOWS (Pieridae)
15. THE SKIPPERS (Hesperiidae)
    APPENDIX : A LIST OF LARVAL FOODSTUFFS
    INDEX