Several guide books are available to help you identify moths. There are also some more general books about moths which include details of their biology, natural history etc.
Books about moths
Atlas of Britain and Ireland's Larger Moths
Randle, Z., Evans-Hill, L., Parsons, M., Tyner, A., Bourn N., Davis T., Dennis, E.B., O'Donnell, M., Prescott, T., Tordoff, G and Fox, R. (2019) Pisces Publications
Each species has a distribution map showing current and historical occurrences, trends, status, a phenology chart and colour image.
Provisional Atlas of the UK's Macro-moths
Hill, L., Randle, Z., Fox, R.and Parsons, M. (2010) Butterfly Conservation
Maps showing the national distribution of all larger moths.
Enjoying Moths
Leverton, R. (2001) Poyser Natural History
Lots of interesting information about moths and how to study them.
Moths
Majerus, M. (2002) Collins
Full of fascinating details about moths' biology, ecology and evolution.
The Natural History of Moths
Young, M. (1997) Poyser Natural History
Comprehensive information about moths and their biology and ecology.
The State of Britain's Larger Moths
Fox R., Dennis E.B., Harrower C.A., Blumgart D., Bell J.R., Cook P., Davis A.M., Evans-Hill L.J., Haynes F., Hill D., Isaac N.J.B., Parsons M.S., Pocock .M.J.O., Prescott T., Randle Z., Shortall C.R., Tordoff G.M., Tuson D. & Bourn N.A.D (2021) Butterfly Conservation, Rothamsted Research and UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wareham, Dorset, UK.
An up-to-date report on the changing fortunes of our moths.
The State of Britain's Larger Moths 2013
Fox, R., Parsons, M.S., Chapman, J.W., Woiwod, I.P., Warren, M.S. & Brooks, D.R. (2013) Butterfly Conservation & Rothamsted Research
Report on the changing fortunes of our moths.
Moths: Their biology, diversity and evolution
Lees, DC. & Zilli, A. (2019) Natural History Museum.
An accessible introduction to moths, their diversity, habits and evolution.
The Jewel Box: How Moths Illuminate Nature's Hidden Rules
Blackburn, T. (2023) Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
Meetings with Moths: Discovering their Mystery and Extraordinary Lives
Baird, K. (2023) Fourth Estate.
Much Ado About Mothing: A Year Intoxicated by Britain’s Rare and Remarkable Moths
Lowen, J. (2023) Bloomsbury Wildlife.
An entertaining account of a year-long quest to celebrate the joy of Britain's moths.
Moth
Gandy, M. (2016) Reaktion Books.
British Moths: A Gateway Guide
Lowen, J. (2021) Bloomsbury.
Moth identification guides
Britain's Day-Flying Moths: A Field Guide to the Day-Flying Moths of Britain and Ireland
Newland, D., Still, R. & Swash, A. (2013). Princetown University Press
Photographic guide of 100 or so day-flying moths found in Britain and Ireland. Includes species descriptions, life history details, flight-times and food-plants.
British and Irish Moths: Third Edition: A Photographic Guide
Manley, C. (2021) Bloomsbury Naturalist
Photographic guide of around 2,000 moth species, including micro-moths of which 1,200 species are covered.
British Moths and Butterflies: a photographic guide
Manley, C. (2008) A&C Black
Photographs of all macro-moths, butterflies and many micro-moths and caterpillars in natural postures plus concise field notes. Although this does not cover all species, it does include many micro-moths and caterpillars.
British and Irish Moths: an illustrated guide to selected difficult species online
Townsend, M.C., Clifton, J. & Goodey, B. (2010) Butterfly Conservation
A guide to 72 species of larger moths that are difficult to identify using features such as wing patterns and require close examination or dissection.
Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Townsend, M., Waring, P. & Lewington, R. (2019) Bloomsbury Wildlife
An easy-to-use format with all resident and immigrant larger moths described and illustrated in their natural resting positions plus concise field notes.
Field Guide to the Micro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland
Sterling, P., Parsons, M. & Lewington, R. (2012) British Wildlife Publishing
Ground-breaking guide to over 1000 micro-moth species, illustrated in their natural resting positions plus detailed field notes.
Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland: Third Edition
Waring, P., Townsend, M. & Lewington, R. (2018, revised edition) Bloomsbury Wildlife
Larger version of the Concise Guide (above), with more detailed text.
Field Guide to the Caterpillars of Great Britain and Ireland
Henwood, B., Sterling, P. & Lewington, R. (2020) Bloomsbury Wildlife
A must have for identifying butterfly and moth caterpillars.
Field Guide to the Caterpillars of Britain and Europe
Carter, D. & Hargreaves, B. (2001) Collins
The Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles
Skinner, B. (2009) Apollo Books
A thorough identification guide to the larger moths, all illustrated with their wings spread out, plus detailed field notes.
The Colour Identification Guide to Caterpillars of the British Isles
Porter, J. (1997) Viking
The companion volume to Skinner's Guide to Moths, above; photographs of all macro-moth and butterfly caterpillars plus detailed field notes.
Checklists
A checklist of the Lepidoptera of the British Isles
Agassiz, D.J.L., Beaven, S.D. & Heckford, R.J. (2013). Royal Entomological Society.
The latest version of the British lepidoptera checklist. Implements a completely new species code system, adds new species and nomenclature changes.