|
|
Post by wollastoni on Oct 17, 2015 14:42:49 GMT
Another brilliant book.
Michael Parsons is one of our greatest entomologists nowadays and one of the best knower of Papua New Guinea. In 1999, he published this great book "The Butterflies of Papua New Guinea, their systematics and biology". It is a major work with all present knowledge about New Guinea, butterfly evolution, foodplant, mimicry complexes, description of known species.
I love this book for the beauty of its plates and for its species descriptions. It's very complete for this part of the island, and I love that Parsons has taken the time to describe the behaviour of each Papuan species. Behaviours are too often overlooked by book writers.
900 pages of very interesting scientific information, splendid pictures and descriptions of the fantastic butterflies of Papua New Guinea.
This book has become very rare now and prices are skyrocketing above 2000 USD now, see on Abebooks.
deliasfanatic , I guess you have it. Have a look in the part mimicry, you will find many answers about the Delias mimicry complex in New Guinea including some Nymphalidae, Lycaenidae and Pieridae.
I highly recommend everyone to purchase this book if you ever find an affordable copy. |
|
|
|
Post by nomihoudai on Oct 17, 2015 15:34:02 GMT
I don't understand why the author/publisher is not putting out a second edition. I once found a used copy of it on amazon for $600, which is in itself already a ridiculous price for a book, no matter how good or bad. After I bought it the owner send me a message "hey buddy, thanks for buying the book, the real price is $1200". I explained that I just bought it for $600 and he should ship it asap. Then the guy went on to insult me. Thanks amazon, great service...
[edited by admin) I have not found it yet in any museum library, but some day I will.
|
|
|
|
Post by wollastoni on Oct 17, 2015 15:55:33 GMT
Yes a second edition would be great !
Many discoveries have been done since 1999.
Even greater would be such a book with the butterflies of the whole New Guinea !
Unfortunately with Henk's death, I have no idea who could try and launch such projects now.
|
|
|
|
Post by deliasfanatic on Oct 17, 2015 16:11:25 GMT
A terrific and very important book indeed. I agree that a second edition, and even more an "all New Guinea" book would be a great asset. This book, however, is also useful for the western half of New Guinea in that it lists and sometimes briefly discusses many subspecies found only in that area.
|
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Oct 17, 2015 16:30:50 GMT
I'll now keep an eye open for this book down the road ! I have seen it in the past on EBay however, did'nt give it much thought or desire as I have very few butterflies in my collection from PNG. Also, had not heard any reviews on the book and had no idea the plates looked so good. Thanks guys for bringing up the topic of this overlooked book !
|
|
|
|
Post by nomad on Oct 17, 2015 17:05:11 GMT
Looks a brilliant book and one I would like to own but look at those silly second hand prices. Strange that no second edition has appeared ?, as it would sell very well. Perhaps if members here know him, they could ask Michael why there was no further editions published. It is a shame this book is not available to those that study New Guinea butterflies.
|
|
|
|
Post by deliasfanatic on Oct 17, 2015 17:32:34 GMT
It's always been expensive - I think brand-new retail was $595 or thereabout. I got my copy about 9 years ago...I can't remember the source but I think it was around $350-400.
|
|
|
|
Post by mygos on Oct 17, 2015 18:17:03 GMT
This book was sold for 250 euros when published and the last copies have been sold at a bargain price ! I have sold the copy I just had almost immediatly for a reasonnable price of 520 euros. I am always too cheap  , but I think that prices over 1000 euros are just crazy ... Those who wants to receive my mailing list, please send your name and email adress by PM  A+, Michel |
|
|
|
Post by nomad on Sept 20, 2017 15:40:09 GMT
Finally manged to get hold of a copy of The Butterflies of Papua New Guinea, A1 + condition at a very reasonable price. What can I say about this book except it is fantastic! Parsons should be very proud to be the author of such a fine work.  |
|
|
|
Post by deliasfanatic on Sept 20, 2017 18:43:00 GMT
Congratulations! It's a great book and well worth having. I use mine frequently.
|
|
|
|
Post by wollastoni on Sept 20, 2017 20:47:25 GMT
Yes one of my favorites !
|
|
|
|
Post by jmg on Sept 22, 2017 8:35:15 GMT
In 2007, I bought the Parsons's book from Roppon Ashi (Japan) for a low price. Useful books about West Papua (Irian Jaya) rhopalocera : - van Mastrigt, Henk & Rosariyanto E., Buku Panduan Lapangan Kupu-kupu. Untuk Wilayah Mamberamo Sampai Pegunungan Cyclops [ Field guide to the butterflies of Mamberamo to the Cyclops Mountains], Conservation International, Jakarta, 2005, 146 pp. (Le seul guide, en bahasa indonesia, traitant de la lépidofaune de la Papua Irian Jaya, pour la région nord-est). - van Mastrigt et alii, Buku Panduan Lapangan Kupu-kupu. Untuk Wilayah Kepala Burung Termasuk Pulau-pulau, Provinsi Papua Barat, 2010, 196 p. www.lepido-france.fr/lepidopteres-de-larfak/ |
|
, but I think that prices over 1000 euros are just crazy ...
