Fauna d’Italia - Nuova serie: Lepidoptera - Papilionoidea II

This first volume of the New Series of the “Fauna d’Italia” (Fauna of Italy) collection, represents the second part of the Italian butterfly families’ studies. Authors are researchers from Turin and Florence Universities, since several years engaged in the study of systematics, biogeography and conservation of these insects. In this volume the species of two families, Riodinidae and Lycaenidae are discussed. The latter family is very rich in species, some of which are endemic to Italy and protected by European Directives, living in different habitats, especially in mountain pastures. This volume permits to identify all Italian species, also very similar ones, by keys of identification and photos of adults of both sexes, caterpillars and pupae. Each species is morphologically described, and the main characteristics of biology and ecology are described. Moreover, detailed information on the general and Italian distribution as well as the host plants are disclosed. This volume represents an updated useful work, for both specialists, and lovers of nature that try to identify biodiversity.