By Thomas J. Allen
This book describes 128 species of butterflies found in the state, along with their caterpillars and pupae. Each species account provides a description and information on distribution, habitat, life history, nectar sources, and larval host plants. It contains hundreds of beautiful color photographs, as well as detailed drawings and maps.
"The wild and wonderful state has the Northeast's widest variety of plants and animals, including the 128 species spotlighted in [this book]. The richly illustrated field guide, with 50 color photographs and various tables and charts, is detailed enough for the dedicated lepidopterist. But it may inspire the Sunday stroller to take a longer look at the creepy-crawlies and winged critters encountered." - Pittsburgh Magazine
"Whether one has the good fortune to live and study butterflies in West Virginia or not, this book is a must-have. Sastisfying detailed descriptions of 128 species include county-by-county range maps for West Virginia, habitat profiles, and some of the best behavioria writeups in the literature. . . Chapters on butterfly study and gardening round out a wonderful new adition to a growing lepidopteran library." - Bird Watcher's Digest, May/June 99
"If you live in West Virginia, you will want to have this book to learn about and find the butterflies of your state. If you live elsewhere, the photographs of caterpillars alone are enough to own this book." - Jeffrey Glassberg, President, North American Butterfly Association