This outstanding monograph presents a critical review of information, published and unpublished, worldwide, on the behaviour and ecology of dragonflies in all stages of the life cycle for both physical and biotic environments. Information about tropical and temperate species in functional and evolutionary contexts is skilfully integrated and facts and ideas are reviewed in the context of current biological thinking. The book includes more than 4,000 bibliographical entries, and concludes with indexes to authors, taxa and subjects. Unrevised Brill edition. Originally published with imprint Harley Books, ISBN 9780946589777
• First title in Stackpole Books' new Wild Guide series • A complete, expert introduction to the world of dragonflies and also covers damselflies • Detailed color drawings of different species and behaviors Dazzling in appearance, idiosyncratic in behavior, dragonflies and damselflies have long captured the imaginations of nature lovers. In this illustrated natural history guide, Cynthia Berger takes the reader on a whirlwind trip through the lives of these intriguing insects, from their birth underwater (where they actually spend most of their lives as ferocious nymphs) to their miraculous transformation into free-flying adults. Features a field guide to the most common North American species--including life-size silhouettes for easy identification--as well as tips for observing dragonflies in the wild and attracting them to your backyard.
Have your readers ever seen a dragonfly up close? What does it look like? How does it eat? What is its life cycle? When readers check out the 'Zoom Bubbles' on every spread of this book, they'll get an up close peek at this insect's body, eyes, antennae, wings, and more.
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-color 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. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West is the field guide naturalists, conservationists, and dragonfly enthusiasts have been waiting for. Covers all 348 western species in detail Features a wealth of color photographs Provides a color distribution map for every species Includes helpful identification tips Serves as an essential introduction to dragonflies and their natural history
In Dragonflies, early readers will learn about the physical characteristics of dragonflies and discover how this unique insect hunts for food. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage emergent readers as they discover the fascinating world of dragonflies. A labeled diagram helps readers identify the insect's body parts, while a picture glossary reinforces new vocabulary. Children can learn more about dragonflies online using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Dragonflies also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, and an index. Dragonflies is part of the Insect World series.
Here, for the first time, is a comprehensive and accessible overview of one of the world’s most popular insect groups, the Odonata. Written for interested amateurs as well as more experienced professionals, Dragonflies of the World covers their evolution, ecology, behaviour, physiology and taxonomy. It describes their unique attributes and the distinctive features of the suborders, superfamilies, families and subfamilies.
Dragonfly watching is fast becoming an enjoyable and exciting hobby for many of those who love butterfly watching. This book picks up on that trend and brings it to the reader in an attractive and accessible format. A new addition to Oxford's acclaimed Butterflies through Binoculars series of field guides, Dragonflies through Binoculars allows for quick and easy identification of all the 300-plus species of dragonflies that have been found in the United States and Canada. In these well-illustrated pages, Sidney W. Dunkle answers any query the beginner or expert might have on the subject of dragonfly-watching on this continent--what kind of binoculars to buy, where to start looking for dragonflies, how to photograph these striking creatures, which clubs or societies to join, and so forth. Other important features for this handy field guide include detailed accounts of every species mentioned, useful information on habitats, explanations of mating rituals, full-color photographs of most of the species described, and range maps.
More than one hundred and fifty species of dragonflies and damselflies most likely to be seen throughout the U.S. Southeast north of Florida are covered in this abundantly illustrated guide that is organized for easy use in the field and contains information on the insects' life cycles, taxonomy, characteristics, habitats, distribution, behavior, and identification.
A lavishly illustrated introduction to the world's dragonflies and damselflies Dragonflies and damselflies are often called birdwatchers’ insects. Large, brightly colored, active in the daytime, and displaying complex and interesting behaviors, they have existed since the days of the dinosaurs, and they continue to flourish. Their ancestors were the biggest insects ever, and they still impress us with their size, the largest bigger than a small hummingbird. There are more than 6,000 odonate species known at present, and you need only visit any wetland on a warm summer day to be enthralled by their stunning colors and fascinating behavior. In this lavishly illustrated natural history, leading dragonfly expert Dennis Paulson offers a comprehensive, accessible, and appealing introduction to the world’s dragonflies and damselflies. The book highlights the impressive skills and abilities of dragonflies and damselflies—superb fliers that can glide, hover, cruise, and capture prey on the wing. It also describes their arsenal of tactics to avoid predators, and their amazing sex life, including dazzling courtship displays, aerial mating, sperm displacement, mate guarding, and male mimicry. Dragonflies and Damselflies includes profiles of more than fifty of the most interesting and beautiful species from around the world. Learn about the Great Cascade Damsel, which breeds only at waterfalls, the mesmerizing flight of Blue-winged Helicopters, and how the larva of the Common Sanddragon can burrow into sand as efficiently as a mole. Combining expert text and excellent color photographs, this is a must-have guide to these remarkable insects. A lavishly illustrated, comprehensive, and accessible natural history that reveals the beauty and diversity of one of the world’s oldest and most popular insect groups Offers a complete guide to the evolution, life cycles, biology, anatomy, behavior, and habitats of dragonflies and damselflies Introduces the 39 families of dragonflies and damselflies through exemplary species accounts Features tips on field observation and lab research, and information on threats and conservation