‘. . . the colour plates, splendidly executed by Donald Russwurm, stand not just as an entomological reference, but also as a work of art.’
The Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation
Small Copper
ab. obsoleta Tutt.
A. D. A. Russwurm (1994).
The Small Pearl-bordered
Fritillary. (Click on the illustration to enlarge)
The amazing varieties and aberrations that occur amongst British butterflies have long held a fascination for the collector, and the name of A. D. A. Russwurm will be familiar to those interested in this specialised field of entomology. His love of butterflies and their aberrational forms, combined with his considerable artistic abilities, led to him illustrating some of the classic works of the latter half of the twentieth century, including South’s British Butterflies, and his own work: Aberrations of British Butterflies.
Variation in British Butterflies is intended as a companion volume to ‘Aberrations’. Alec Harmer was privileged to know Donald Russwurm for over 30 years until his death in 2001, at the age of 97, and the book begins with a concise, richly illustrated biography of the artist.
The underlying genetic and environmental factors responsible for many of the rare and striking aberrations featured are discussed together with practical advice on the successful application of these principles both in the field and in the breeding cage. With diagrams and photographs of aberrations in life (some shown for the first time), treatment of the subject is specifically with the amateur lepidopterist in mind.
Nearly every aspect of variation is represented in the 84 colour plates reproduced from a private commission of watercolours completed in the 1970s for the author; the aesthetic appeal of the original paintings has been carefully preserved. With over 400 specimens figured, all natural size and with full data, they depict some of the most spectacular butterflies ever taken.
Hardback with cloth cover, nos of pages xiv, 293; page size 193 x 275 mm., numerous black and white and colour photos in text, 8 diagrams and 84 colour plates. ISBN 0 9537236 0 7.
The Silver-washed
Fritillary. (Click on
the illustration to enlarge)
(Click on the diagram to enlarge)
Monohybrid inheritance:
Single recessive gene difference.
Mode of transmission of the recessive allele for ab. obscura Frohawk in the Swallowtail, Papilio machaon britannicus Seitz.
