Common names

[Alan5319]

We agree the local use of names can be very confusing. Take the butterfly that
in the U.S. would be called the "Mourning Cloak", (Nymphalis antiopa) according
to Audubon, "Field Guide to North American Insect & Spiders". In our far corner
of England it is called the "Camberwell Beauty", (Nymphalis antiopa).

Only by use of the Latin name can we be certain that we are discussing the same
critter. If we are not, please will someone tell us and burst our bubble.

It is a long, slow slog to learn the Latin names. However, as many far flung
travellers will attest, with such a limited amount of affordable, respectable
reference material available it is useful to have a common, acceptable language
to draw information from.

We should count ourselves lucky. Even healthcare professionals seem to each ask
a patient's name, etc. time and again to perform various functions. If all
these were in Latin, perhaps once would be enough!

If you have an intersest in the origon of Latin names we would recommed, THE
SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA THEIR HISTORY & MEANING - A. M. Emmet,
MBE, TD, MA, FLS, FRES. It is an entertaining and illuminating work well worth
a browse.

Good Mothing

Aan & Jeri