The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia

Description

Dragonflies and damselflies are conspicuous insects: many are large and brightly colored. They are also valuable indicators of environmental wellbeing. A detailed knowledge of the dragonfly fauna is therefore an important basis for decisions about environmental protection and management. This comprehensive guide to the Australian dragonfly fauna covers eight families of dragonflies and 10 families of damselflies, comprising the 113 genera and 333 species found in Australia. It has been updated with newly identified species and revised family names to reflect new world consensus systematics. Stunning full-color images and distribution maps are accompanied by identification keys for adults as well as larvae, which are often used as bait for freshwater fish. This second edition of The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia also includes illustrations by Albert Orr, one of the most renowned dragonfly illustrators. The extraordinary diversity of dragonflies will interest entomologists and amateur naturalists alike. Features: Fully revised text, with updates to family names to match new world consensus systematicsIncludes newly established taxa, as well as at least five new species and several reclassified species/generaProvides identification keys for both adults and larvaeIncludes distribution maps and stunning color photographsFeatures illustrations by renowned dragonfly illustrator Albert Orr Cover Half Title Title Copyright Foreword to first edition Foreword to second edition Preface and acknowledgments to first edition Preface and acknowledgments to second edition Contents Introduction Species guide Zygoptera (Damselflies) Hemiphlebiidae Greenlings Synlestidae Relicts/Sylphs/Malachites Lestidae Spreadwings/Reedlings Chlorocyphidae Jewels Calopterygidae Demoiselles Lestoideidae Bluestreaks/Rockmasters Argiolestidae Flatwings Isostictidae Narrow-wings Platycnemididae Threadtails/Pinflies Coenagrionidae Pond Damsels Anisoptera (Dragonflies proper) Austropetaliidae Redspots Aeshnidae Southern Darners/Hawkers Petaluridae Petaltails Gomphidae Clubtails/Tigers Synthemistidae Tigertails/Southern Emeralds Macromiidae Cruisers Corduliidae Emeralds/Round winged/Modern Emeralds Libellulidae Baskers/Skimmers/Perchers Libelluloidea incertae sedis Urflies/Mistflies/Hawks/Streamcruisers/Shutwings Illustrated glossary Identification of adults Identification of larvae Studying dragonflies Checklist of species References and further reading Index of scientific names Index of common names