New Guinea, the world's second largest island, lies at the heart of the Australasian center of species diversity. The remarkable richness of species in the region is no more spectacularly evident than in its bewildering and beautiful array of butterflies. Michael Parsons presents, from his 15 years of studying these butterflies, a comprehensive description of this butterfly fauna which describes and celebrates their evolution and ecology. The butterflies of New Guinea show how a single animal group can diversify to fully exploit the riches of a tropical rainforest environment. More than 958 species have been recorded so far, and each has developed a unique relationship to its environment, foodplants, predators, and competitors. The Butterflies of Papua New Guinea: Their Systematics and Biology presents a valuable reference for both the amateur naturalist with an interest in butterflies and the evolutionary ecologist interested in the processes and results of adaptation and speciation. The book provides a background of the geography of New Guinea, the origins and characteristics of its butterfly fauna, and special considerations of New Guinea butterfly ecology and conservation. The 820 species recorded from Papua New Guinea and a checklist of the 958 species occurring in Papua New Guinea and Iryan Jaya as a whole are also discussed in detail. This book includes line drawings showing detailed identification points, color photographs of some 3000 specimens, and 200 illustrations detailing aspects of life history and ecology. The Butterflies of Papua New Guinea: Their Systematics and Biology presents a vital inventory of the present fauna, in addition to projections of the discovery of new species and the fortunes of those already in existence there. Key Features * Examines butterflies as key indicators of environments under pressure * Contains color photos of more than 3000 specimens * Presents the first comprehensive review of the lives of New Guinea butterflies * Includes over 400 color photographs from life