A lavishly illustrated book covering the butterflies of the world, with informative text written by an expert author who has spent many years watching and studying lepidoptera around the world. Opening chapters cover the evolution, anatomy, lifecycle, ecology and taxonomy of the world's butterflies.

The bulk of the book comprises chapters offering comprehensive coverage of each of the world's butterfly families, from the spectacular swallowtails, apollos, morphos and birdwings through to the cryptic browns, whites, skippers and hairstreaks.

The pages are illustrated with hundreds of stunning color photographs showing more than 350 images taken, mainly by the author, from locations around the world.

Author Adrian Hoskins has spent the last 25 years studying and photographing butterflies around the world, including many destinations in South and Central America, Africa, Europe and Asia.

He organises and leads butterfly-watching tours to many of these fabulous regions.