Dragonfly Genera of the New World: An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Anisoptera (Hardcover)

by Rosser W. Garrison (Author), Natalia von Ellenrieder (Author), Jerry A. Louton (Author)
Key Phrases: posterior hamule, basal subcostal crossveins, view cercus, United States, Old World, South America (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Dragonflies have been moving up to join butterflies as a model group for natural history and scientific study. This well-organized and readable book will help speed that trend on a hemispheric basis." -- E. O. Wilson, Harvard University

"For anyone interested in the identification of New World dragonflies, especially those of Central and South America, this well-written book is worth its weight in precious metals. It is equal to a whole filing cabinet of scientific papers, and with its plethora of illustrations it can be used for the identification not only of genera but for some species as well." -- Sidney W. Dunkle, author of Dragonflies through Binoculars

"There has long been a need for a comprehensive identification manual dealing with the rich dragonfly fauna of the Americas, and here it is! With this monumental set of keys and descriptions, supported by carefully detailed and artistically pleasing drawings, anyone can now identify to genus any dragonfly specimen from this half of the world. The publication of the New World Odonata Key ushers in a new era of appreciation for dragonfly biodiversity." -- Dennis Paulson, author of Dragonflies of Washington

"This is the most important Odonate book published in several years." -- T.W. Donnelly, Argia

"A required reference for any serious student of faunistics and biogeography." -- Beth Orr, Agrion

"A reference of the highest quality, this book reveals their striking beauty and complexity. It is a real monumental work on odonate taxonomy and identification, and indispensable for every one working with the Odonata of the Americas. A great book." -- Martin Schorr, Odonatological Abstract Service

"As a superb reference work for 2 continents, written with much skill and profound command of the factual knowledge, the value of the book can be hardly exaggerated." -- Odonatological Abstracts

"The most significant contribution in decades." -- Robert Canning, Florida Entomologist

"The authors have produced original keys that are richly illustrated... An outstanding volume that will be a long-standing contribution." -- John C. Abbott, American Entomologist

Product Description

Dragonfly Genera of the New World is a beautifully illustrated and comprehensive guide to the taxonomy and ecology of dragonflies in North, Middle, and South America. A reference of the highest quality, this book reveals the striking beauty and complexity of this diverse order.

Although Odonata -- dragonflies and damselflies -- are among the most studied groups of insects, until now there has been no reliable means to identify the New World genera of either group. This volume provides fully illustrated and up-to-date keys for all dragonfly genera with descriptive text for each genus, accompanied by distribution maps and 1,595 diagnostic illustrations, including wing patterns and characteristics of the genitalia.

For entomologists, limnologists, and ecologists, Dragonfly Genera of the New World is an indispensable resource for field identification and laboratory research.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 1 edition (August 16, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801884462
• ISBN-13: 978-0801884467
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #872,946 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!, June 14, 2007

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

I am a professional entomologist and dragonfly enthusaist and bought this book after I got an advertisement for it in the mail. I love this book! While there are other books on North American dragonflies (such as Needham, Westfall, and May's Dragonflies of North America) that help identify North American specimens to species, there hasn't ever been a book that allows Central and South American dragonfly lovers and scientists to do the same. This book goes a long way toward filling the gap with keys to all of the genera of the New World dragonflies. It is filled with great drawings illustrating the key structural characteristics listed in the keys and contains several full color photographic images. It is organized well and beautifully laid out. I believe this book will prove invaluable to scientists studying Central and South American dragonflies. It is a great contribution to the odonate literature - the authors should be proud of themselves for creating such a masterpiece.