Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata (Comstock Book) [Hardcover]

Philip S. Corbet (Author)

Book Description

Series: Comstock Book | Publication Date: July 1999

Among the most ancient and powerful of insects, dragonflies fascinate scientists and nonspecialists--in part because they are large enough for the behavior of individual insects to be observed and interpreted. Indeed, so much useful information exists about dragonflies that they serve as valuable models for interpreting the behavior and ecology of other taxa. Philip S. Corbet has devoted a lifetime to their study. His book A Biology of Dragonflies has been a standard text for more than thirty-five years. This latest book establishes a new benchmark for the Odonata, providing a comprehensive, critical review of past and current knowledge--both published and unpublished--about species from all biogeographical regions in both functional and evolutionary contexts. The volume emphasizes the diversity found in dragonfly behavior as well as unifying patterns. It describes the behavioral strategies that influence the fitness of individuals in physical and biotic environments and in all stages of the life cycle, and identifies the biological principles reflected in those strategies. The book also examines behavior associated with processes such as habitat selection, foraging, seasonal regulation, migration, territoriality, mating, and sperm competition, emphasizing the interdependence of all developmental stages as well as relationships among dragonflies and other animals, including humans. Dragonflies represents a remarkably thorough and searching appraisal of a single taxon, featuring 252 drawings and black-and-white photographs, 96 color plates, nearly 100 appendix tables, and more than 4,000 bibliographic citations to original sources. The wealth of information and its integrated treatment will indisputably make the book the definitive source on dragonflies for years to come.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 829 pages
• Publisher: Comstock Pub Assoc; 1 edition (July 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801425921
• ISBN-13: 978-0801425929
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #970,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Standard in Odonatological Literature, February 25, 2000

By 

Cory Robertson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata (Comstock Book) (Hardcover)

I am a fourth-year biology undergrad at the University of Toronto. My program has consisted largely of ecology, evolution, and behavior, and throughout it I have attempted to incorporate my lifelong fascination with dragonflies into many of my research projects, essays, etc. Recently, while drafting a paper on the conservation of rare/significant dragonflies for a Conservation Biology class, I came across (and relied heavily upon) P.S. Corbet's book, Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata. I was beyond impressed. Having sifted through as much primary and secondary literature as I could get my hands on, his book quickly found the top of the pile, being by far the most current, comprehensive, and well-written study of dragonfly ecology and life history. In fact, my enthusiasm for his work must have been quite apparent, as my girlfriend thoughtfully gave me a copy for Christmas, so I could avoid any further library fines for a book I simply couldn't give back! I consider this book a must-have for any aspiring odonatologist, and highly recommend it to anyone who is awed (as I am) by these wonderful insects. Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata affords not only an educational, but a truly pleasurable read--a combination that only someone with personal enthusiasm and lifetime experience in a subject could produce. Anyone with a copy of Walker on the shelves should be sure to place Prof. Corbet's work next to it, as it truly represents a new standard in Odonatological literature.

Cory Robertson University of Toronto Hon. B.Sc. Biology

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing reference for odonate enthusiasts and scientists, August 16, 2005

By 

speak04 (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata (Comstock Book) (Hardcover)

I bought this book as soon as it was published as a reference for my undergraduate senior thesis and it has since become one of my most invaluable sources of odonate information. As an entomologist with a passion for odonates, this book has always been a favorite of mine and for good reason. Corbet is one of the foremost odonate scientists in the world and after reading this phenomenal book, you will understand why. It is clear that the author knows an extraordinary amount of information about the ecology and behavior of these insects. He loves his subject and clearly wishes to share his knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject with others. In Dragonflies, Corbet presents a huge amount of information in an informative, yet straightforward manner, making excellent use of tables and illustrations where needed. This book is an awesome collection of a hundred years' worth of odonate research condensed into one concise, staggeringly complete volume. This is the sort of work all scientists should dream of writing. If there is anything you want to know about odonate behaviors known to science, you will find it in this book. Don't be put off by the price or the length - if you're seriously interested in dragonflies, it doesn't get any better than this.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, August 13, 2001

By 

Willow Wolf "Willow Wolf" (Star Mountain, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata (Comstock Book) (Hardcover)

It is a masterpiece, bound to remain indispensable to biologists for years to come.