Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East

by Dennis Paulson

Overview

This is the first fully illustrated guide to all 336 dragonfly and damselfly species of eastern North America--from the rivers of Manitoba to the Florida cypress swamps--and the companion volume to Dennis Paulson's acclaimed field guide to the dragonflies and damselflies of the West. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East features hundreds of color photos that depict all the species found in the region, detailed line drawings to aid in-hand identification, and a color distribution map for every species--and the book's compact size and user-friendly design make it the only guide you need in the field. Species accounts describe key identification features, distribution, flight season, similar species, habitat, and natural history. Paulson's authoritative introduction offers a primer on dragonfly biology and identification, and also includes tips on how to study and photograph these stunningly beautiful insects.

• Illustrates all 336 eastern species


• Features hundreds of full-color photos


• Includes detailed species accounts, line drawings to aid identification, and a color distribution map for every species


• Offers helpful tips for the dragonfly enthusiast

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781400839667
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	12/19/2011
Series:	Princeton Field Guides
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	544
File size:	136 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Dennis Paulson's books include Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West and Shorebirds of North America (both Princeton). Now retired, he was director of the Slater Museum of Natural History at the University of Puget Sound.

Table of Contents

• FrontMatter, pg. 1
• Contents, pg. 5
• Preface, pg. 7
• Introduction, pg. 9
• Natural History of Odonates, pg. 11
• Odonate Anatomy, pg. 27
• Odonate Colors, pg. 32
• Odonate Names, pg. 32
• Finding Odonates, pg. 33
• Identifying Odonates, pg. 34
• Odonate Photography, pg. 36
• Odonate Collecting and Collections, pg. 37
• Odonate Threats and Conservation, pg. 40
• Odonate Research, pg. 42
• Odonates in the East, pg. 43
• Explanation of Species Accounts, pg. 43
• Broad-winged Damsel Family, pg. 49
• Spreadwing Family, pg. 59
• Pond Damsel Family, pg. 81
• Petaltail Family, pg. 165
• Darner Family, pg. 167
• Clubtail Family, pg. 207
• Spiketail Family, pg. 316
• Cruiser Family, pg. 325
• Emerald Family, pg. 336
• Skimmer Family, pg. 399
• Species Added to the Western Fauna in 2009 and 2010, pg. 519
• Appendix: Dragonfly Publications and Resources, pg. 521
• Glossary, pg. 523
• Index, pg. 527

Editorial Reviews

"I truly believe that if there is such a thing as the 'must-have' book, Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East is IT. . . . It contains all 336 species of Odonata that have been found in eastern North America. Not just dragons or just damsels, [but] all Odonata. That means ONE book for everything. It has excellent full-color photographs that are large enough to see many of coloration and patterns that are important. . . . The species accounts are well-done with reference to similar species when appropriate. The natural history summaries for genera are very good, and valuable information for any ode enthusiast."—Mark O'Brien, Michigan Odonotes blog

"This is a beautiful book, a joy to hold and to look at. Although it is a paperback, it is printed on sturdy glossy paper that will hold up well in the field. . . . [I] recommend it as an essential field guide to the dragonflies."—Devorah Bennu, GrrlScientist blog

"This is an excellent landmark field guide that belongs in every naturalist's collection."—Donna Schulman, 10,000 Birds

"[A] terrific volume that will be very popular among odonate enthusiasts in the East."—Choice

"[T]hese volumes are obviously authoritative, comprehensive and clearly designed with the needs of the naturalist in mind. The photographs are excellent and . . . the text makes up for the unavoidable shortcomings of a photo-guide by including full descriptions of each species. Altogether, these two volumes constitute a complete, highly informative and beautifully illustrated guide to the Odonata of North America."—Guy Padfield, UKbutterflies

From the Publisher

[A] terrific volume that will be very popular among odonate enthusiasts in the East.

Choice

This is an excellent landmark field guide that belongs in every naturalist's collection.

10,000 Birds - Donna Schulman

This is a beautiful book, a joy to hold and to look at. Although it is a paperback, it is printed on sturdy glossy paper that will hold up well in the field. . . . [I] recommend it as an essential field guide to the dragonflies.

GrrlScientist - Devorah Bennu

I truly believe that if there is such a thing as the 'must-have' book, Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East is IT. . . . It contains all 336 species of Odonata that have been found in eastern North America. Not just dragons or just damsels, [but] all Odonata. That means ONE book for everything. It has excellent full-color photographs that are large enough to see many of coloration and patterns that are important. . . . The species accounts are well-done with reference to similar species when appropriate. The natural history summaries for genera are very good, and valuable information for any ode enthusiast.

Michigan Odonotes - Mark O'Brien

This is a beautiful book, a joy to hold and to look at. Although it is a paperback, it is printed on sturdy glossy paper that will hold up well in the field. . . . [I] recommend it as an essential field guide to the dragonflies.
— Devorah Bennu

GrrlScientist

I truly believe that if there is such a thing as the 'must-have' book, Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East is IT. . . . It contains all 336 species of Odonata that have been found in eastern North America. Not just dragons or just damsels, [but] all Odonata. That means ONE book for everything. It has excellent full-color photographs that are large enough to see many of coloration and patterns that are important. . . . The species accounts are well-done with reference to similar species when appropriate. The natural history summaries for genera are very good, and valuable information for any ode enthusiast.
— Mark O'Brien

Michigan Odonotes