Front Cover

A Review by Peter Eeles - 1st February 2015

Papilio is the most recent work from Jason Sargerson, whose Swiss Butterflies was previously reviewed on this website. This A4 booklet is well-produced, being of the same high quality as the previous work. However, this later work is a different read altogether, its 36 pages covering 22 selected sites in Europe and the USA that the author has visited and, as a result, has less of a focus than his previous work. Approximately 80 European species and 20 US species are mentioned within the text and photos of both the sites and a selection of the species found there are included. The sites covered are:

• Corfu (Ropa Valley)
• England (Chambers Farm, Wilberforce Way)
• France (L'Arve Valley)
• Gibraltar (Alameda Gardens)
• Hungary (Farm Lator)
• Italy (Vigezzo Valley)
• Switzerland (Albula Valley, Poschiavo Valley, Vispa Valley)
• USA (LaSal Mountains, Abajo Mountains)

The site descriptions are very good, providing information not only on the site and the species found there, but also an insight into geology, other natural history found at the site (such as the flora found there) and an indication of the best time to visit. However, this book is neither a field guide (it does not cover any region comprehensively) nor an identification guide (it does not cover all species found in a given region). If you want these things, then I suggest you consult relevant books or websites that address these needs. I would personally characterise this latest work as a "coffee table" read that will give you a sense of what you might find in certain parts of the world and perhaps inspire you to visit them yourself. Of course, if you choose to visit any of the sites listed, then purchasing this guide will definitely be a good decision.

How to Order

The booklet can be ordered directly from the author: Jason Sargerson, 17 Muirfield Park, Westbourne Avenue, Hull, East Yorks, HU5 3JF. Price is £11.00 including postage to UK addresses, £14.00 to addresses in Europe. Cheques payable to Jason Sargerson. Alternatively, order via Charaxes Publications.