The Dragonflies Of Europe

La 4e de couverture indique: "Europe's Dragonflies is a comprehensive, lavishly illustrated and beautifully designed photographic field guide to the damselflies and dragonflies of Europe. Written by two well-travelled experts, the book covers all 140 resident and vagrant species recorded, focussing on the field identification of adult insects. Concise species profiles highlight key identification features and provide information on behaviour, habitat preferences, distribution, flight periods, status and conservation. Other sections cover identification tips, conservation status and legislation. Presenting an unsurpassed selection of images of the highest quality, this is the go-to guide for anyone wishing to know more about these amazing and fascinating insects."

A revised and thoroughly updated edition of the definitive guide to identifying dragonflies in Europe. The first edition of the Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe was a ground-breaking identification guide that led to an increase in Odonata recording across Europe. The second edition includes fully revised regional guides and identification texts, updated distribution maps and conservation statuses, illustrated accounts for five species that have been discovered in the region since the first edition, updated checklists and taxonomy, and new photographs throughout, as well as an introduction to larvae identification. Each species is lavishly illustrated with artworks of males, females and variations, as well as close-ups of important characters.

Dragonflies and damselflies are some of the most beautiful, fragile and resilient insects found in the natural world. With their complex behaviours, astonishing aerobatic skills and preference for freshwater habitats, they are a very rewarding group of animals to observe in the field. Dragonflies and Damselflies of Britain and Western Europe features all 98 species found in the region. Packed with outstanding photography, this comprehensive book includes close-up illustrations to highlight key identification features, diagrams of wing venation, and detailed guides to dragonfly larvae and exuviae. Each species account includes an accurate distribution map and information on field characteristics, confusion species, habitat and ecology. An introduction to the life cycle of Odonata, guidance on when and where to look for them, and the best ways to observe and photograph dragonflies and damselflies in the field are also included. These sections, combined with the identification guides, make this book the ultimate resource for any field naturalist or entomologist interested in these incredible insects.

This is the only book written in English to cover the entire European fauna, comprising 124 species of resident damselfly (Zygoptera) and dragonfly (Anisoptera), illustrated on the 30 plates of 219 colour figures. In most cases, both sexes as well as important variants are depicted, all enlarged. In his Foreword to this revised edition, Professor Philip Corbet, Past-President of the Worldwide Dragonfly Association and doyen of British odonatists, states that, as a standard reference work, “it will continue to contribute importantly to the progress of odonatology.” The author has made a few corrections to his original text, which covered 114 species of Odonata breeding in Europe, and has added a new Preface and an updating Supplement. The Introduction, which is largely unchanged, includes chapters on History; Life History; the Adult Dragonfly; Distribution; Morphology of the Adult Dragonfly; a complete, updated Check List; and Keys to the suborders and families. The Systematic section gives keys to the genera and species, with clear descriptions and details of the biology, flight periods, and distribution of all species found in Europe, with distribution maps showing national boundaries. This is now followed by the Supplement, in which Dr Askew has added a further ten resident species, including one new to science, and several adventives. It also provides new information under the following headings: Nomenclature; Orthography; Thermoregulation; American species observed in Europe; Accidental Introductions into Europe; Other species newly recognized in Europe; Species new to the British Isles; Expansion of recorded ranges within Europe; Other new distribution records; and Contraction of recorded ranges. The author goes on to list major European and national literature on the Odonata published since 1988. There are numerous line-drawings throughout the text and over 100 new references to the European literature have been added to the supplement bringing the total to over 650. The book concludes with a new Index to English and scientific names, incorporating all species, subspecies and synonyms cited in the revised text. There are two plates of colour photographs showing biology and habitats and the author has added a further colour plate to his original 29 plates of adult insects, depicting five of the new European species and one from North America. In its new, slightly-reduced, softback format, this classic work, which has already sold 3000 copies, will be more practical in the field and should prove extremely popular with British and Continental odonatists.

This is the first detailed and complete overview of the distribution of the dragonflies and damselflies of Europe. An important reference work for professionals and amateurs alike. - Covers the distribution and habitat selection of all 143 European species of dragonflies and damselflies. - Gives a complete description of their global and European distribution, illustrated using over 200 distribution maps. - Gives per species information on taxonomy, range, population trends, flights season-, and habitat. - Includes unique photos and flight season diagrams for virtually all European dragonflies. - Contains extensive background information on taxonomy, conservation, and for each country an overview of the history of odonatological studies.

An indispensable guide to Great Britain and Ireland's resident and migrant dragonfly and damselfly species. Whizzing over water with metallic bodies and often iridescent wings, dragonflies and damselflies are arguably one of our most overlooked and beautiful insects. This practical guide will help you to distinguish between skimmers and darters, with fascinating species accounts and insect-watching tips. To aid quick and accurate identification, the book also contains more than 280 stunning paintings by renowned artist, Richard Lewington. The 2002 edition was shortlisted for the BP Natural World Book Prize. This updated edition has been fully revised and redesigned to feature full descriptions, ecological notes and distribution maps, as well as a general introduction and regional guide to the best places to watch dragonflies.

Dragonflies and Damselflies documents the latest advances in odonate biology and relates these to a broader ecological and evolutionary research agenda. Despite being one of the smallest insect orders, dragonflies offer a number of advantages for both laboratory and field studies. In fact, they have been crucial to the advancement of our understanding of insect ecology and evolution. This book provides a critical summary of the major advances in these fields. Contributions from many of the leading researchers in dragonfly biology offer new perspectives and paradigms as well as additional, unpublished, data. The editor has carefully assembled a mix of theoretical and applied chapters (including those addressing conservation and monitoring) and achieves a balance of emerging and established research topics, providing suggestions for future study in each case. This accessible text is not about dragonflies per se but an essential source of knowledge that describes how different sets of evolutionary and ecological principles/ideas have been tested on a particular taxon. It will therefore be suitable for graduate students and researchers in entomology, evolutionary biology, population and behavioural ecology, and conservation biology. It will of course be of particular interest and use to those working on insects and an indispensable reference text for odonate biologists.

The go-to photographic guide to all the damselflies and dragonflies recorded in Europe, including the Macaronesian Islands and western Turkey Europe's Dragonflies is a comprehensive, lavishly illustrated and beautifully designed photographic field guide to the damselflies and dragonflies of Europe. Written by two well-travelled experts, the book covers all 140 resident and vagrant species recorded, focussing on the field identification of adult insects. Concise species profiles highlight key identification features and provide information on behaviour, habitat preferences, distribution, flight periods, status and conservation. Other sections cover identification tips, conservation status and legislation. Presenting an unsurpassed selection of images of the highest quality, this is the go-to guide for anyone wishing to know more about these amazing and fascinating insects. Comprehensive coverage of every species of damselfly and dragonfly recorded in Europe Stunning colour plates showing males, females, immatures, colour forms, subspecies and typical habitat for every species Over 1,200 superb photographs, supplemented with illustrations of fine details Detailed profiles for the 140 resident and vagrant species Unique comparison plates for difficult groups Easy to use by beginners and experts alike, avoiding technical terms