A Guide To The Dragonflies Damselflies Of South Africa

This field guide to the dragonflies and damselflies of South Africa covers all species known to occur in the region. A detailed introduction covers behaviour, life cycles, biology and breeding; and the species entries focus on identification and distribution. Colour plates feature scans of the actual insects – males and females where possible – as well as close ups and side views; and diagnostic labels help ensure accurate ID. Additional photographs show species in their specific habitat and illustrate key behaviour. Beautifully presented and authoritative, this book will appeal to anyone with an interest in South Africa’s insect life, and to nature lovers in general.

A fully revised edition featuring all 164 species known to occur in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, grouped according to family (six dragonfly and six damselfly families). The species entries feature scans of live insects (close-up and side-view) and photographs of specimens in their natural environment, showing key behaviours, and annotated t

This field guide to the dragonflies and damselflies of South Africa covers all species known to occur in the region.

This field guide introduces readers to the little-known world of the colourful dragonflies and damselflies of southern Africa. The introduction explores dragonfly characteristics and biology, and offers useful advice for collectors.

Dragonflies are a beautiful, important and conspicuous component of freshwater, whether still or flowing. South Africa's dragonflies are particularly interesting as many are special or endemic to the area, making it a part of the world of great conservation significance. This book discusses this exciting dragonfly fauna. Dragonflies are a beautiful, important and conspicuous component of freshwater, whether still or flowing. They are also important indicators of freshwater quality and condition, which is significant for current and future conservation initiatives in South Africa. The country's dragonflies are particularly interesting as many are special or endemic to the area, making it a part of the world of great conservation significance. Sadly however, many of these endemic species are highly threatened, especially by invasive alien trees which shade out their habitat. This book is about this exciting dragonfly fauna. Besides aiming at increasing awareness of these lovely and sensitive insects, it enables their identification, using several approaches, from simple flick-through to the use of comprehensive identification keys. Each species is also given a Dragonfly Biotic Index, covering a spectrum from the most common, widespread and tolerant species through to the most threatened, rare and sensitive ones. Michael Samways is Professor and Chair of the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa and a Fellow of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He has published 260 scientific papers and written several books on insect biology and conservation, the most recent of which is Insect Diversity Conservation, Cambridge University Press. He has won several awards, and in the last two years, these include the Stellenbosch University Rector's Award for Research Excellence, the John Herschel Medal from the Royal Society of South Africa, and the Senior Captain Scott Medal from the South African Academy for Science and Art. Michael is on several international editorial boards and involved with various international committees devoted to invertebrate conservation. Indeed, his research team is dedicated to the conservation of invertebrates and other biodiversity, which so enrich our planet.

This Atlas and Red List details the outcomes of the Southern African Reptile Conservation Assessment (SARCA), the most thorough reptile assessment project ever conducted in Africa. The conservation status of the 422 recognised species and subspecies of reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland was evaluated against IUCN guidelines, based on detailed distribution maps, published literature and the collective expertise of leading herpetologists. This important publication includes, for the first time, colour photographs of all snakes, lizards, tortoises, terrapins, turtles and crocodiles of the region, as well as detailed maps illustrating their ranges.

Few animal groups can represent the greatest (insects) and most threatened (freshwater) biodiversity on Earth as well as dragonflies, perhaps the best-known and most colourful of all aquatic insects. Extending from Sudan and Somalia to Zambia and Mozambique, including the entire eastern half of the Congo Basin, this book covers a third of Africa.