Dragonflies: Wild Guide
Dragonflies have attracted the attention of nature watchers the way butterflies did a decade or so ago. These large, dazzling insects can be observed through binoculars and present the same kinds of identification challenges as birds do. The first title in the Wild Guides series,Dragonfliesis a nicely succinct introduction to the Odonata, the insect family that includes the dragonflies and damselflies. The first chapter is an overview of what makes a dragonfly a dragonfly, while the second examines a year in the life of these aerial predators. The lengthy third chapter is a marvelous introduction to dragonfly behavior, covering anatomy, hunting, territoriality, and mating. Chapter 4 discusses species identification and field marks, leading to a mini field guide of 26 common species. The last two chapters, on how to watch dragonflies and how to build ponds to attract them, provide useful information not easily found elsewhere. Filled with Amelia Hansen's detailed color illustrations, this excellent primer will fill a niche in all libraries.Nancy BentCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved