www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hello All,
Can anyone recommend a field guide (not a large hardcover) limited to the butterflies of Spain?
Or even Spain + Portugal at a pinch, but not including the rest of Europe (that I have already).
If it were in Spanish, that would add an extra challenge .
Preferably with distribution maps.

Gracias amigos,
Chris

In my opinion, at the field guide level, you won’t beat the best English guides to the butterflies of Europe. There do exist Specifically Spanish guides - I have the first edition of this one: https://m.casadellibro.com/libro-las-ma ... 89/2632131, which has the added advantage of including moths - but I’ve never really used it.

However, for the Lycaenids, I can recommend this: https://www.nhbs.com/biologia-y-ecologi ... noles-book. It’s exactly what you say you don’t want - large format, hardback and without maps - but a wonderful book.

Spain has a lot of rare endemics. They don’t advertise their locations, quite rightly, as the country also attracts a large number of collectors.

Be aware you need a licence to carry a net in Spain, on pain of a fine up to 10 000 euros. I applied for and got one some years ago. It covered just one region, for one year, and required me to have professional/university referees.

Guy

Thanks for the Spanish field guide details, Guy.
And thanks for the heads up on the restrictions. I'll make sure there is nothing around that looks vaguely like a net.
We don't want heavy fines - monies would be better invested in chilled cerveza.

Adios
Chris

Chris,
A little out of date, but as it doesn't cost anything, this is worth a look: http://sea-entomologia.org/PDF/MSEA11Le ... iurnos.pdf

NickMorgan wrote:Chris,
A little out of date, but as it doesn't cost anything, this is worth a look: http://sea-entomologia.org/PDF/MSEA11Le ... iurnos.pdf

Fabulous resource, Nick. I have downloaded it and will make good use of it.

Many thanks.

NickMorgan wrote:Chris,
A little out of date, but as it doesn't cost anything, this is worth a look: http://sea-entomologia.org/PDF/MSEA11Le ... iurnos.pdf

Thanks Nick.
Those distribution maps look really precise, and the bilingual text could come in handy.

Chris

Chris - try Paul Browning, "Butterflies of the Iberian Peninsula" - photos, habitat, distribution, flight times, ID hints, everything you need in compact form. Way down south the flight times are often rather longer than indicated, but otherwise really handy.

Nick - thanks for posting those maps, which I find most interesting. I don't suppose you know if there is anyone interested in receiving records for Spanish butterflies, as I think I have a few from some under-recorded areas.

Matsukaze wrote:Chris - try Paul Browning, "Butterflies of the Iberian Peninsula" - photos, habitat, distribution, flight times, ID hints, everything you need in compact form. Way down south the flight times are often rather longer than indicated, but otherwise really handy.

Nick - thanks for posting those maps, which I find most interesting. I don't suppose you know if there is anyone interested in receiving records for Spanish butterflies, as I think I have a few from some under-recorded areas.

You could try e-mailing Miguel Munguira - munguira@uam.es. I believe there is a Spanish recording scheme and I think they have a template that you can fill in. I must admit that I have never sent my records in, but I really should.

There may well be a reprint of Paul Browning's book on Iberian butterflies very soon.

There is clearly a niche in the market for this and when I have further information I will report it.