Life of the Butterfly

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6 This excellent introduction to butterflies focuses on the life cycle of the brilliantly-colored peacock butterfly, a common European species and member of the Nymphalidae (``brush-footed'') butterfly family. The authors describe the insect's mating and egg-laying activities; the physical and behavioral characteristics of each of the four stages of development; diet; habitat; protective coloration; natural enemies; and function in the pollination of flowers. Six other species, including several brushfooted butterflies found in North America, are also briefly discussed. The text is accurate, clearly written, well organized, and superbly illustrated. Close-up color photos of remarkable clarity and careful composition appear on every page but one. Of particular note are the series of photographs that depict each stage of the butterfly's metamorphosis. Dallinger and Overbeck's excellent Swallowtail Butterflies (Lerner, 1982), although examining a different species, covers similar material on life cycles; however, this book includes more, and larger, photos on the butterfly's metamorphosis. Jourdan's Butterflies and Moths Around the World (Lerner, 1981) includes general information on life cycles but primarily provides descriptions of a wide variety of butterfly and moth species. Life of the Butterfly is a worthwhile addition to nature collections. Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public LibraryCopyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Language Notes
Text: English, German (translation)

Card catalog description
Introduces the physical characteristics, habits, and behavior of butterflies and some of the different species.


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Gr 4-6 This excellent introduction to butterflies focuses on the life cycle of the brilliantly-colored peacock butterfly, a common European species and member of the Nymphalidae (``brush-footed'') butterfly family. The authors describe the insect's mating and egg-laying activities; the physical and behavioral characteristics of each of the four stages of development; diet; habitat; protective coloration; natural enemies; and function in the pollination of flowers. Six other species, including several brushfooted butterflies found in North America, are also briefly discussed. The text is accurate, clearly written, well organized, and superbly illustrated. Close-up color photos of remarkable clarity and careful composition appear on every page but one. Of particular note are the series of photographs that depict each stage of the butterfly's metamorphosis. Dallinger and Overbeck's excellent Swallowtail Butterflies (Lerner, 1982), although examining a different species, covers similar material on life cycles; however, this book includes more, and larger, photos on the butterfly's metamorphosis. Jourdan's Butterflies and Moths Around the World (Lerner, 1981) includes general information on life cycles but primarily provides descriptions of a wide variety of butterfly and moth species. Life of the Butterfly is a worthwhile addition to nature collections. Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library


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