Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland: Sixth edition

The essential field guide to British and Irish Odonata, featuring unrivalled full-colour artwork of all 58 species.

Adult dragonflies are among the largest and most spectacular insects alive today, and their beautiful colours, phenomenal aerobatic skills and preference for flying in warm, sunny weather make them easy to observe.

Now in its sixth edition, this trusted, practical guide enables you to identify all 58 species across the British Isles, featuring fascinating descriptive accounts and helpful insect-watching tips. It brings together more than 300 exquisitely detailed illustrations by renowned wildlife artist Richard Lewington alongside 168 stunning photographs to showcase the essential identification characteristics. Regional guides, flight-period charts and distribution maps help you to determine when and where to see each species, and an identification key to the larvae of all the resident and migratory dragonfly and damselfly species is also provided.

Whether you are just beginning to explore the world of dragonflies and damselflies or are a long-time enthusiast, this an indispensable companion for discovering and identifying these remarkable insects.

Contents:

Introduction
Life history
Distribution
Dragonfly habitats
Dragonflies and the law

Regional guides

Identification
Introduction to the families
Key to dragonfly larvae
Species descriptions
ZYGOPTERA DAMSELFLIES
Calopterygidae Demoiselles
Lestidae Emerald damselflies
Platycnemididae White-legged damselflies
Coenagrionidae Red damselflies and blue damselflies
ANISOPTERA DRAGONFLIES
Aeshnidae Hawker dragonflies
Gomphidae Club-tailed dragonflies
Cordulegastridae Golden-ringed dragonflies
Corduliidae Emerald dragonflies
Libellulidae Chaser, skimmer and darter dragonflies

Further reading
Addresses
Checklist of Odonata of Great Britain and Ireland