Lepidoptera and conservation

The third in a trilogy of global overviews of conservation of diverse and ecologically important insect groups. The first two were Beetles in Conservation (2010) and Hymenoptera and Conservation (2012). Each has different priorities and emphases that collectively summarise much of the progress and purpose of invertebrate conservation. Much of the foundation of insect conservation has been built on concerns for Lepidoptera, particularly butterflies as the most popular and best studied of all insect groups. The long-accepted worth of butterflies for conservation has led to elucidation of much of the current rationale of insect species conservation, and to definition and management of their critical resources, with attention to the intensively documented British fauna 'leading the world' in this endeavour. In Lepidoptera and Conservation, various themes are treated through relevant examples and case histories, and sufficient background given to enable non-specialist access. Intended for not only entomologists but conservation managers and naturalists due to its readable approach to the subject.

Cover; Title page; Copyright page; Contents; Preface; Acknowledgements; 1: Lepidoptera and Invertebrate Conservation; Introduction; Biological background; Sources of information; References; 2: The Diversity of Lepidoptera; Introduction; Distinguishing taxa; Drivers of diversity; References; 3: Causes for Concern; Introduction: Historical background; Extinctions and declines; References; 4: Support for Flagship Taxa; Introduction; Community endeavour; Flagships; References; 5: Studying and Sampling Lepidoptera for Conservation; Introduction; Sampling methods; Interpretation for conservation.

Priorities amongst speciesPriority for conservation; Species to areas; Critical faunas; Related approaches; References; 6: Population Structures and Dynamics; Introduction: Distinguishing populations; Metapopulation biology; Vulnerability; References; 7: Understanding Habitats; Introduction: The meaning of 'habitat'; Habitat loss; References; 8: Communities and Assemblages; Introduction: Expanding the context; 'Vulnerable groups'; Habitats and landscapes; Assessing changes; Forests; Agriculture; Urbanisation; References; 9: Single Species Studies: Benefits and Limitations; Introduction.

Some…