Southern African Moths and their Caterpillars

Illustrates 1,500 species of the region's moths, and most of their caterpillars.
Provides known host associations, habitat preferences, phenology and accurate distribution maps.
The only up-to-date guide to the rich moth fauna of southern Africa.

An essential resource.
—James S. Pryke, Journal of Insect Conservation

Subject: zoology ecology entomology Series: pelagic-identification-guides

Tags:

caterpillars
entomology
lepidoptera
moths
southern Africa

Description

Southern Africa boasts wonderful invertebrate diversity and abundance. In this book, approximately 1,500 species of the region's moths – and most of their caterpillars – are illustrated with images of live specimens. A diagnosis based on visible characters is provided, also enabling the user to readily identify many closely related species not illustrated. Known host associations, habitat preferences, phenology and accurate distribution maps are provided for each species.

As the only substantive and up-to-date guide to the rich moth fauna of the wider southern African region, this volume fills a gap in the natural history books of Africa. Furthermore, it includes data from citizen science project The Caterpillar Rearing Group to depict caterpillar stage and respective host plant/s for a sizeable proportion of the southern African moth fauna. Based on more than 270,000 location records, preferred habitats and point-based distribution maps are provided for the first time. A crucial addition to our understanding of the wildlife of the African continent.

DOI: 10.53061/KUDW7054

Reviews

An essential resource for naturalists, gardeners, farmers, students, and anyone interested in delving into the rich and ecologically significant world of moths. ... The incorporation of caterpillar information in this book is a commendable feature, enabling naturalists to engage with and identify moths in their larval state. … It is my hope that this book will ignite a surge of conservation studies that incorporate moths into the ecological tapestry of southern Africa.
—James S. Pryke, Journal of Insect Conservation
Excellent... I highly recommend the book and certainly will be packing it in my luggage for my next African trip.
—Paul Waring, British Journal of Entomology and Natural History

About the Author

Hermann Staude is a leading expert on the moth fauna of southern Africa, and is the author of 72 scientific articles and reports on the subject. He is the founder and project leader of the Caterpillar Rearing Group, a citizen-science project of the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa, and a keen photographer of Lepidoptera.

Mike Picker is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Town. He has broad knowledge of the natural history and ecology of the regional insect fauna, and is author of 130 scientific publications. He is co-author of four popular guidebooks, including the best-selling Field Guide to Insects of South Africa and Pocket Guide to Insects of South Africa.

Charles Griffiths is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Town. He has published over 200 research papers and nearly 100 popular articles, and is co-author of five other guidebooks on southern African fauna, including Field Guide to Insects of South Africa and Pocket Guide to Insects of South Africa. He is also a widely published natural history photographer.