United States
£ GBP
Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West is the first fully illustrated field guide to all 348 species of dragonflies and damselflies in western North America. Dragonflies and damselflies are large, stunningly beautiful insects, as readily observable as birds and butterflies. This unique guide makes identifying them easy--its compact size and user-friendly design make it the only guide you need in the field.
Every species is generously illustrated with full-colour photographs and a distribution map, and structural features are illustrated where they aid in-hand identification. Detailed species accounts include information on size, distribution, flight season, similar species, habitat, and natural history. Dennis Paulson's introduction provides an essential primer on the biology, natural history, and conservation of these important and fascinating insects, along with helpful tips on how to observe and photograph them.
Preface 7 Introduction 9 Natural History of Odonates 11 Odonate Anatomy 22 Odonate Colors 26 Odonate Names 27 Finding Odonates 28 Identifying Odonates 29 Odonate Photography 31 Odonate Collecting and Collections 32 Odonate Threats and Conservation 35 Odonate Research 36 Odonates in the West 37 Explanation of Species Accounts 37 Damselflies (Zygoptera) 41 Broad- winged Damsel Family (Calopterygidae) 41 Spreadwing Family (Lestidae) 50 Pond Damsel Family (Coenagrionidae) 73 Shadowdamsel Family (Platystictidae) 184 Threadtail Family (Protoneuridae) 186 Dragonflies (Anisoptera) 191 Petaltail Family (Petaluridae) 191 Darner Family (Aeshnidae) 194 Clubtail Family (Gomphidae) 237 Spiketail Family (Cordulegastridae) 308 Cruiser Family (Macromiidae) 314 Emerald Family (Corduliidae) 323 Skimmer Family (Libellulidae) 372 Species Added to the Western Fauna 519 Appendix: Dragonfly Publications and Resources 521 Glossary 523 Index 527
Dennis Paulson's books include Shorebirds of North America (Princeton) and Alaska: The Ecotravellers' Wildlife Guide. Now retired, he was director of the Slater Museum of Natural History at the University of Puget Sound.
Extremely well organized, and very well written. This is a superb treatment. With its impressive number of large, clear images and thorough text, it will immediately become the must-have field guide for western odonate watchers and researchers.--Giff Beaton, author of Dragonflies and Damselflies of Georgia and the Southeast
"Dennis Paulson is recognized as one of the very best odonatologists in the world. This is a fine book, and will sell many thousands of copies. The text is well organized, and the color photos are gorgeous."--Sidney W. Dunkle, author of Dragonflies through Binoculars
