
Field Guide to the Butterflies of Wales
Ben Williams(Author)
Pelagic Publishing
Published on 26. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
136 pages
978-1-78427-613-3 (ISBN)
Description
Wales has a diverse range of butterflies - from the familiar Peacock to the elusive Large Heath, from the blisteringly quick High Brown Fritillary to the dainty Wood White, from the shimmering Silver-studded Blue to the orange glow of the Brown Hairstreak. This identification guide covers the 44 species present in Wales, and includes explanations of their lifecycles, distribution maps highlighting where they are likely to be found and a section on rare migrants that have been encountered here and may occur again in the future.
Butterflies are not just delicate insects flitting around our meadows, gardens and hedgerows; they are far more complicated than that. Their lifecycles are fascinating and in some cases it seems a wonder that they survive at all. Moreover, butterflies are key pollinators as well as excellent indicator species: when their numbers dwindle or they are absent, something is wrong - a cause for concern and should be investigated.
This book is ideal for people living in Wales keen to identify their local butterfly species, and for visitors interested in watching these charming insects.
Butterflies are not just delicate insects flitting around our meadows, gardens and hedgerows; they are far more complicated than that. Their lifecycles are fascinating and in some cases it seems a wonder that they survive at all. Moreover, butterflies are key pollinators as well as excellent indicator species: when their numbers dwindle or they are absent, something is wrong - a cause for concern and should be investigated.
This book is ideal for people living in Wales keen to identify their local butterfly species, and for visitors interested in watching these charming insects.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Exeter
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 146 mm
Thickness: 7 mm
Weight
299 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78427-613-3 (9781784276133)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Ben Williams
Field Guide to the Butterflies of Wales
E-Book
05/2026
Pelagic Publishing
€26.49
Available for download
Person
Ben Williams has been interested in all things natural since, aged four, he caused pandemonium in his grandmother's kitchen after returning from a walk with a frog in his coat pocket. With an MSc. in Coastal Conservation and Management from the University of Glamorgan, Ben went on to work as Rivers Project Officer for Keep Wales Tidy. In his spare time he volunteered and as a contractor on habitat management for butterflies, assisting Butterfly Conservation (South Wales).
Content
1. Introduction
Butterflies in Wales
The naming of butterflies
Migration and introductions
2. The Lifecycle of Butterflies
The egg (ovum)
The caterpillar (larva)
The chrysalis (pupa)
The butterfly (imago)
3. Photographing Butterflies
4. Species Accounts
How this list is compiled
Pieridae
Lycaenidae
Nymphalidae
Satyridae
Hesperiidae
5. Rare Migrants
Glossary
Indexes
English Names
Scientific Names
Enwau Cymraeg
Butterflies in Wales
The naming of butterflies
Migration and introductions
2. The Lifecycle of Butterflies
The egg (ovum)
The caterpillar (larva)
The chrysalis (pupa)
The butterfly (imago)
3. Photographing Butterflies
4. Species Accounts
How this list is compiled
Pieridae
Lycaenidae
Nymphalidae
Satyridae
Hesperiidae
5. Rare Migrants
Glossary
Indexes
English Names
Scientific Names
Enwau Cymraeg