Brooks, S. and Lewington, R. 1997. (This edition 2004.) Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Hook, Hampshire, British Wildlife Publishing. ISBN 0 9531399 0 5.
Softback. 13.5x21.5cm. 160 pages.
I can't praise this, and the other field guides in the same series (e.g.
Field guide to Moths), too highly.
These British Wildlife Publishing books have raised the bar for the modern field guide and set a new standard to which new publications will aspire
These British Wildlife Publishing books have raised the bar for the modern field guide and set a new standard to which new publications will aspire.
The book starts with an excellent introduction to the taxonomy, morphology and ecology of dragonflies & damselfliesThe book starts with an excellent introduction to the taxonomy, morphology and ecology of dragonflies & damselflies. There is also a section detailing the best places to watch these animals in Britain and Ireland. A key to the identification of larvae and another family key to the adults are a bonus. Throughout the book, Steve Brooks text is clear authoritative and yet readable.
The second half of the book comprises the individual species accounts covering all of those insects likely to be encountered in the UK. These are beautifully illustrated by Richard Lewington, one of the finest wildlife illustrators ever to have illustrate a field guide.
The illustrations are very comprehensive, for example covering many of the different colour forms sometimes found within an individual speciesThe illustrations are very comprehensive, for example covering many of the different colour forms sometimes found within an individual species. Each species account is also accompanied by a distribution map - a feature which I find extremely useful since when attempting to identify an insect it enables you to quickly discount species which are highly unlikely to be found in your locality.
The best and most comprehensive field-guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Britain Ireland.