"A ground-breaking identification guide ... the perfect marriage of artistic excellence, deep knowledge and, dare I say it, of scientists' genuine affection."
BRETT WESTWOOD
This brand new illustrated field guide covers all 47 species of ladybird occurring in the British Isles in a handy and easy-to-use format. Twenty-seven species are colourful and conspicuous and easily recognised as ladybirds; the remaining species are more challenging, but the clear illustrations and up-to-date text in this guide will help to break down the identification barriers. A useful introduction provides an overview of ladybird ecology, tips on studying and recording, and suggested sites for finding ladybirds. The main part of the book comprises detailed species texts, covering field characters, food, habitats, suggested survey methods, ranges, conservation statuses and distribution trends. An illustrated at-a-glance identification guide and helpful pointers for differentiating similar-looking species are also included. With 102 colour photographs and 47 distribution maps, combined with Richard Lewington's peerless artwork, this is the definitive guide to one of our most cherished and charismatic insect groups.
Brown, Peter: - Dr Peter Brown FRES is an ecologist and senior lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University. His research focuses on the ecology of insects, particularly ladybirds (Coccinellidae) and invasive species. He has a keen interest in citizen science and has co-led the UK Ladybird Survey with Helen Roy since 2009. He is also co-lead of an EU COST Action working group on alien species and citizen science. Peter has co-authored over 70 scientific works and four books on ladybirds, including the Field Guide to Ladybirds of Britain and Ireland. He is a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society.
Lewington, Richard: - Richard Lewington is an acknowledged leader in the field of insect illustration. His meticulous paintings of wildlife are the mainstay of many of the modern classics of field-guide art, including The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland, Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland, Guide to Garden Wildlife and Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland. Richard has also designed and illustrated wildlife stamps for several countries. In 1999 he was awarded Butterfly Conservation's Marsh Award for the promotion of Lepidoptera conservation, and in 2010 the Zoological Society of London's Stamford Raffles Award for contribution to zoology. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society.
Roy, Helen: - Professor Helen Roy combined research with teaching for 10 years before taking up a research position with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, where she works extensively with national zoological schemes and societies. Her research focuses on the effects of environmental change on insect populations and communities, and she is particularly interested in the dynamics of invasive species and their effects on native biodiversity. Ladybird ecology has much public appeal, and Helen has taken every opportunity to communicate her research to a wide audience; this has included natural history talks, school visits, 'bioblitz', popular science articles, podcasts and interviews with the media.
