Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West

Description

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

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.

Honorable Mention for the 2009 National Outdoor Book Award in Nature Guidebooks "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."--Choice "Who knew that there were 348 species of dragonflies and damselflies in the Western United States? That fact alone should make nature lovers who enjoy traveling to wild places want to check out Dennis Paulson's new book, Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West, published by Princeton University Press... This guide includes information on flight seasons, habitat and natural history in the description of each insect as well as helpful tips on how to observe and photograph them."--Salt Lake Tribune