Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West (Princeton Field Guides Book 47)

__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

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

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 included 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

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

Choice

Bird watching has been a common hobby for centuries, and butterfly watching has become popular in the last few decades. Odonate watching is the newest pastime. Here, Paulson offers a comprehensive guide to Odonata of western North America. . . . This well-written, informative guide is a 'must have' for any person, amateur or scholar, interested in these insects.

Cover 1 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 6 Preface 8 Introduction 10 Natural History of Odonates 12 Odonate Anatomy 23 Odonate Colors 27 Odonate Names 28 Finding Odonates 29 Identifying Odonates 30 Odonate Photography 32 Odonate Collecting and Collections 33 Odonate Threats and Conservation 36 Odonate Research 37 Odonates in the West 38 Explanation of Species Accounts 38 Damselflies (Zygoptera) 42 Broad-winged Damsel Family (Calopterygidae) 42 Spreadwing Family (Lestidae) 51 Pond Damsel Family (Coenagrionidae) 74 Shadowdamsel Family (Platystictidae) 185 Threadtail Family (Protoneuridae) 187 Dragonflies (Anisoptera) 192 Petaltail Family (Petaluridae) 192 Darner Family (Aeshnidae) 195 Clubtail Family (Gomphidae) 238 Spiketail Family (Cordulegastridae) 309 Cruiser Family (Macromiidae) 315 Emerald Family (Corduliidae) 324 Skimmer Family (Libellulidae) 373 Species Added to the Western Fauna in 2008 520 Appendix: Dragonfly Publications and Resources 522 Glossary 524 Index 528