Emperors, Admirals and Chimney-Sweepers: The weird and wonderful names of butterflies and moths

The poetic names of butterflies and moths, inspired by human occupations, social rank, animals, jewels, musical instruments, fabrics, letters, carpets, flowers, heraldry, and shells, are explored in this book. The scientific names also contain many allusions, such as a subset of moths named after weddings and another group named after souls. The book is written with Peter Marrens wit and insight and takes readers on a journey back to a time before the arts and science were divided.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 266 pages
Publication date: 01 July 2020
Publisher: Little Toller Books

Many have marveled at the poetic names of our butterflies and moths, igniting our imaginations with their breathtaking beauty. Some of these names are inspired by human occupations and social status, such as Emperors, footmen, millers, quakers, lackeys, 'rustics, and chimney sweepers. Additionally, there are species named after animals like tigers, hawks, goats, sharks, even pug dogs. Moreover, names are derived from jewels, musical instruments, fabrics, letters, carpets, flowers, heraldry, and shells. Some of these names are downright perplexing, such as why one butterfly is called an 'admiral' and another an 'argus.' Furthermore, the scientific names themselves contain numerous allusions, with one subset of moths named after weddings and another after souls. Many names are cherry-picked from classical tales and legends, often with relevance to a particular butterfly or moth. Some names are eerie, even sexy, while others are funny due to the word games and jokes found in Latin names.

This is the first accessible and comprehensive guide to the names of our butterflies and moths, both English and Latin. Written with Peter Marren's usual wit and insight, this beautiful book takes you on a journey back to a time before the arts and science were divided. When entomologists were also poets and painters, and when a gift for vivid language went hand-in-hand with a deep pre-Darwinian fascination for the emerging natural world.

Weight: 472g
Dimension: 173 x 216 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781908213822