Hoverflies of Britain and Ireland

A new, improved and updated edition of the bestselling photographic guide

Hoverflies of Britain and Ireland is a beautifully illustrated photographic field guide, focusing on the species that can be most readily identified. It is the perfect companion for wildlife enthusiasts, professional ecologists and anyone with an interest in this fascinating group of insects, and is designed to appeal to beginners and experts alike. This improved and significantly updated third edition covers 13 additional species and offers a host of improvements to aid reliable identification.

Accessible, authoritative and easy-to-use, this book contains hundreds of remarkable photographs of hoverflies in their various life stages. It features an essential guide to the hoverfly tribes and photographs of at least one representative from each of the British and Irish genera. The species included are mainly those that can be identified by eye or using a magnifying glass. Individual species accounts highlight key identification features, provide information on behaviour and habitat requirements, status, population trend and flight-period, and include an up-to-date distribution map covering Great Britain and Ireland. Sections on hoverfly biology, where and when to find them, legislation and conservation, recording hoverflies, putting data to good use and gardening for hoverflies are also included.

• Features more than 840 stunning photographs
• Provides detailed information for 177 species, including at least one species from each of the 69 hoverfly genera recorded
• Updated taxonomy, nomenclature and information on status and population trends
• Includes a complete list of the 284 hoverfly species recorded to date, with an indication of how difficult each is to identify in the field and from photographs

New features include:

• Updated and expanded text throughout
• Revised species accounts that reflect evolving knowledge and experience, including updated maps, flight-period charts, status and population trends, and taxonomy and nomenclature
• 13 additional species accounts
• Enhanced coverage of difficult species, with new photographs to highlight key features
• More than 290 new photographs in total
• New section on putting data to good use