Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America (Paperback)

by Ricard W. Merritt (Author), Kenneth W. Cummins (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 722 pages
• Publisher: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company; 2nd/Sprl edition (August 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0840331800
• ISBN-13: 978-0840331809
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,684,937 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a dichotomous key to the American aquatic insects, June 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America (Spiral-bound)

While designed for the generalist working in the area of macrobenthic taxonomy, "An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America" stands as one of the classics in its field. Nine orders of aquatic insects are classified, generally to the level of genus. Some information is provided about collection, preservation, phylogeny, ecology, respiration, and developmental biology in the introductory chapters. Each key to the individual Orders contains additional information specific to that Order. All of the keys are extensively referenced to illustrations. Each section is supported by an extensive bibliography. The section on the Diptera is subdivided to cover the major families individually. The spiral binding allows the book to lie flat while the user manipulates specimens under the microscope - an under-appreciated bonus. Some of the keys are a little buggy, but this is a 'must have' for aquatic entomologists of all levels of expertise.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nothing else like it, December 19, 2007

By	BUGGEEK (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Introduction To The Aquatic Insects Of North America (Paperback)

The 4th edition of an Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America is a great upgrade from the 3rd edition. There is nothing else out there that compares to this book. That being said, there are a number of errors in this book. There are couplets that take you to the wrong place. It is especially prevalent in the Hemiptera family key where it sends you to the Odonata section for the genus keys. It seems like the section was lifted from the 3rd edition and pasted in this one without updated the page numbers. All in all a great book, just needed a better review before being released.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Aquatic Insects Of North America, August 9, 2005

By	Rick Purcell (Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America (Spiral-bound)

I am a fly fisherman who purchased this title to learn more about the aquatic insects in streams and lakes. I was very happy with the drawings (plates) in this book, but they and the text are a little above (graduate school level?) what most fly fishermen are looking for. The drawings are of insect parts, not the entire insect in most cases! What is helpful is the detailed description of the life of each insect, and what its behavior is and where it would be found in Lentic (lakes) or Loctic (streams) bodies of water. Before purchasing this detailed study of entomology, fly fishers should first read more practical titles such as "Caddisflies" by Gary Lafontaine, "Mayflies - Top to Bottom" by Shane Stalcup, or/and "Matching Mayflies" by Dave Hughes. The great thing about Aquatic Insects Of North America is that in this one text, it covers completely all of the insects fly fishermen will need to know...just put on your PHD hat before reading it. It is spiral bound and well indexed by families!