Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains and heavily forested, West Virginia is home to more than one hundred species of butterflies and their caterpillars. Wildlife biologist Tom Allen has spent years studying West Virginia's butterflies, tracing their life cycles and compiling information on their habitats culminating in this definitive work on the butterflies of West Virginia and their caterpillarsBecause of its physiography and geographic location, West Virginia has a wider variety of plant and animal communities than many other eastern states, allowing a larger assortment of butterfly species to flourish. The Diana fritillary (Speyeria diana), for instance, lives in the moist oak-hickory forest of southern West Virginia; wetlands located in lowland meadows and bogs attract such species as the Silver-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene myrina) in open habitats and the Appalachian Brown (Satyrodes a. applachia) in shaded areas. Much of West Virginia's open land is pastured by livestock and home to many species of skippers. Some of the rarest species of butterflies found in the state are in these open areas, including the Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae wyandot), Olympia Marble (Euchloe olympia), and Cobweb Skipper (Hesperia m. metea). And, of course, many species inhabit urban and suburban yards and gardens.The Butterflies of West Virginia and Their Caterpillars 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. Butterflies, their caterpillars and pupae are featured in 46 color plates. Detaileddrawings and maps accompany the species accounts. Written for scientists and general enthusiasts alike, the book also includes chapters on studying butterflies and butterfly gardening."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 reason enough to own this book". Jeffrey Glassberg, President, North American Butterfly Association"The Butterflies of West Virginia and their Caterpillars gives information on the butterflies that occur in the state, shows county maps, gives nectar and foodplant information, some about adult habits, and puts on record species known to the author. Best, it illustrates some caterpillars and chrysalides for species not published in the popular press.... (for) the general public interested in the natural history of West Virginia, amateur butterfly lovers and collectors, and specialists". Charles V. Covell Jr., University of Louisville