About Steve Woodhall

about

Steve Woodhall

Steve Woodhall’s fascination with butterflies and moths began at the tender age of five in Heywood, Greater Manchester, UK. An early encounter, where he proudly presented a captured butterfly to his father—a textile engineer who bred silkworms to demonstrate sericulture—ignited a lifelong passion for lepidoptery. Inspired by the film Born Free, Steve harboured a dream of exploring Africa’s rich biodiversity, a dream he realised in 1980 when he relocated to South Africa.

In 1986, Steve joined the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa (LepSoc Africa), dedicating the next three decades to extensive fieldwork across South Africa, Zimbabwe, East Africa, and West Africa. Transitioning from traditional collection methods to digital photography, he meticulously documented numerous butterfly species in their natural habitats. His commitment and expertise led him to serve as President of LepSoc Africa for nearly a decade.

Steve Woodhall in action at the N'wanedzi River, Mozambique border

Plant Caption — Steve above the N'wanedzi River in the Kruger National Park

Steve on the crags on the Krantzkloof uVe Trail

Prolific Author

Steve’s contributions to lepidoptery are substantial, with several acclaimed publications to his name:

1992

1998

2000

2005

2013

2015

2020

Practical Guide to Butterflies and Moths in Southern Africa

Editor and contributor.

Living Butterflies of Southern Africa

Co-author

What’s That Butterfly?

A user-friendly guide inspired by renowned birding author Ken Newman.

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa

The first comprehensive handheld field guide for South African butterflies, featuring text opposite photographs for ease of use.

The Pocket Guide to Butterflies in South Africa

A concise reference for enthusiasts.

Gardening for Butterflies

Co-authored with Lindsay Gray, focusing on creating butterfly-friendly gardens.

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa 2nd Edition

This revised edition covered many name changes and contains more than 1400 new photographs

Steve Woodhall's Journey: From Industrial Chemistry to Butterfly Expert

The Biodiversity & Development Institute

Steve Woodhall’s journey to becoming one of South Africa’s foremost butterfly experts is anything but conventional. With a background as an industrial chemist in the polymers field, Steve often refers to himself as a “bucket chemist,” having spent much of his career working in factories rather than laboratories. But throughout his life, one thing has remained constant: his deep passion for butterflies.

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980

1986

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Born in the UK

Steve Woodhall’s fascination with butterflies begins in his childhood, largely inspired by his family and teachers. He recalls chasing butterflies in his garden and having a strong interest in lepidoptera from an early age.

School and Early Interests

Steve's love for butterflies grows, nurtured by his schoolteacher who starts a butterfly club. His father, an engineer, fosters an interest in silkworms and moths, further fueling his curiosity about these creatures.

Interest Expands

During his teenage years, Steve begins collecting butterflies with the help of a friend in Tanzania, sending him packets of butterflies from Africa. This sparks his dream of one day traveling to Africa to see these species in their natural environment.

Move to South Africa

Steve relocates to South Africa, where his passion for butterflies flourishes in the biodiverse landscapes of the country. He begins his butterfly collecting in earnest.

Joins the Lepidopterists' Society of Africa

Steve becomes involved with the society, marking the beginning of his formal commitment to butterfly conservation, study, and education. His scientific background in industrial chemistry helps shape his approach to studying butterflies.

Fieldwork and Research

Throughout the 1990s, Steve embarks on extensive fieldwork across South Africa, documenting and studying butterflies. His work leads to significant discoveries and a growing reputation in the butterfly community.

Definitive Guide to South African Butterflies

Steve publishes the first major guide to South African butterflies, consolidating his position as a leading expert in the field. He continues to travel and research butterflies in diverse environments, contributing to conservation efforts.

Ongoing Fieldwork and Education

Steve leads field tours and educational programs, sharing his knowledge and passion with others. His educational efforts extend to enthusiasts, hobbyists, and those interested in conservation.

Publications and Tours

Steve’s work continues to inspire both casual butterfly watchers and serious lepidopterists. He actively contributes to global understanding through field tours, publications, and educational talks.

Born in the UK, Steve’s love for these delicate creatures started at a young age. He fondly recalls the first Painted Lady butterfly he saw in his backyard, an experience that ignited his lifelong fascination. As a child, he would spend hours chasing butterflies with his trusty butterfly net, often with his aunt’s dog in tow. From the Lake District to the Welsh beaches, his childhood was filled with adventures to find and observe butterflies, a hobby nurtured by his family and teachers.

Influenced by his father, a textile engineer with an interest in silkworms and moths, Steve was introduced to the world of lepidoptera early on. His schoolteacher started a butterfly club that further fueled his interest, and with the advent of wildlife documentaries by Sir David Attenborough, Steve’s fascination only grew. He also became a collector, with his best friend in Tanzania sending him packets of butterflies from Africa, fueling a dream to one day see these creatures in their natural habitat.

Although his academic path led him to a career in industrial chemistry, his passion for butterflies never waned. It was only a matter of time before Steve’s career took a turn that would bring him closer to his childhood dreams. After moving to South Africa in 1980, Steve’s butterfly collecting expanded as he traveled around the country, encountering some of the world’s most beautiful and diverse species.

In 1986, Steve joined the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa, marking the beginning of his formal involvement in butterfly conservation and research. He quickly became a prominent figure in the community, drawing from his scientific background to inform his approach to butterfly study. His passion for education and conservation grew, and over time, he wrote the definitive guide to butterflies in South Africa, a monumental achievement that consolidated his status as a leading expert in the field.

Steve’s work has taken him to some of South Africa’s most biodiverse regions, from the Drakensberg grasslands to the forests of KwaZulu-Natal. His extensive fieldwork, combined with his scientific and photographic expertise, has allowed him to document and study numerous butterfly species, including several that were once only dreams to him as a child. Along the way, Steve has not only built an impressive personal collection of butterflies but has also contributed to the global understanding of South Africa’s unique butterfly fauna.

Today, Steve continues to share his passion and knowledge through educational talks, field tours, and his publications. His journey from an industrial chemist to a butterfly expert is a testament to the power of pursuing one’s passions and the unexpected paths that life can take when we follow our curiosities.