Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland

Book excerpt: An indispensable guide to Great Britain and Ireland's resident and migrant dragonfly and damselfly species. Whizzing over water with metallic bodies and often iridescent wings, dragonflies and damselflies are arguably one of our most overlooked and beautiful insects. This practical guide will help you to distinguish between skimmers and darters, with fascinating species accounts and insect-watching tips. To aid quick and accurate identification, the book also contains more than 280 stunning paintings by renowned artist, Richard Lewington. The 2002 edition was shortlisted for the BP Natural World Book Prize. This updated edition has been fully revised and redesigned to feature full descriptions, ecological notes and distribution maps, as well as a general introduction and regional guide to the best places to watch dragonflies.