Roy Leverton
T&AD Poyser, London
2001, 276 pp. Hardback
Price: $39.95, ISBN 0-85661-124-7

If you are reading this review, then you are probably interested in moths and should buy this book. I was initially concerned that it might be too oriented toward the British market because almost all of the species discussed are from the United Kingdom. Despite this, the book is sufficiently broad and well written so that it has something for anyone interested in moths. The book is produced to the highest standards, and the illustrations and photographs are superb. Roy Leverton’s enthusiasm and knowledge shine throughout the text. It is written by an author who is passionate about the subject and imparts information that has been learned by many years of careful study. This is his first book, and I hope that there are more to follow and that he retains this style of presentation. It is easy and pleasurable to read and you might even find the British style and anecdotes "charming." This was the book that I wanted when I was a boy in England standing around a mercury vapor light with a kite net. The 12 chapters begin from the basic information on life history "What is a moth?" and then progress through distribution and identification (for British species), collecting (by habitat type, plant preferences, day/night, use of lures and traps), captive rearing, conservation, and how to keep accurate records so that one’s observations and specimens can be most useful for scientific studies. Chapter 10 describes photography. On the subject of safe collecting, Mr. Leverton advises us "Lepidopterists are commonly perceived as slightly eccentric, but totally harmless, so turn this reputation to your advantage." I know exactly what he means. The index is excellent, references are good, and appendices useful, including British Lepidoptera that have been introduced into the United States and American Lepidoptera that have been introduced into Europe. My only criticism is that I would have had a different picture on the cover-probably the emperor, Kentish Glory, large elephant hawk or privet hawk rather than the butterfly-like latticed heath. Next book perhaps Mr. Leverton? I will be buying it.

Stephen Higgs
Center for Tropical Diseases
University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, TX 77555
American Entomologist
Vol. 47, No.4, Winter 2001