Bernard Skinner (entomologist)
Bernard Skinner (died 7 February 2017) was an English lepidopterist known for the Skinner moth trap and The Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles. The book made it easier to identify moths and the portable light trap made it easier to catch moths, thus encouraging the recording of moths as a hobby.
Bernard Skinner | |
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| Born | England |
| Died | 7 February 2017 (aged 77) |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | St Joseph's College, Upper Norwood |
| Known for | The Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles The Skinner moth trap |
Personal life
Early life
Following the death of his mother, when he was three years old, Bernard was brought up by two aunts in West Norwood, London. His father, Frank, lived nearby. His first school was St Joseph's College, Upper Norwood, and with a friend Terry Dillon, they visited nearby bombsites to find butterflies. Later they cycled to Streatham and Mitcham Commons and to Selsdon Bird Sanctuary. A life-long interest in moths started with the publication of Ford's The Observer's Book of the Larger British Moths.[1]
Skinner trap
Terry Dilllon and Bernard designed a wooden portable light-trap, built by a local carpenter, with Bernard dealing with the electrics. The trap later became known as the skinner trap.[1]
Publications
The Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles revolutionised moth recording in Britain. In collaboration with David Wilson, who took the photographs for the 42 colour plates, the book provided up to date species accounts for each macro-moth found in Britain and Ireland in the last one hundred years. The layout of the book made it easier to identify moths, and was largely responsible for the increase in moth recording. It was first published in 1984, with revised editions in 1998 and 2009.[2]
References
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