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Dragonflies

The books are arranged by publication date with the most recent at the top.

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Europe: A Scientific Approach to the identification of European Odonata without Capture

Carlo Galliani, Roberto Scherini, Alida Piglia

World Biodiversity Association

2017

"A simple yet detailed guide suitable both for beginners and more expert readers who wish to improve their knowledge of the order Odonata. This book encompasses images and photographs of all the European species having a stable population with chapters about their anatomy, biology, behaviour, distribution range and period of flight, plus basic information about the vagrants with only a few sightings reported. On the whole, 143 reported species and over 600 photographs are included."

Dragonflies of Italy and England

John M. Firth

"This photographic pocket guide covers all species of dragonfly found in Italy and England. Easy to carry and use, this book is for the amateur and serious student alike. An authoritative guide in readable and beautifully illustrated form."

Dragonflies & Damseflies of Northumberland & Durham

Harry T. Eales

Natural History Society of Northumbria

2016

"Dragonflies and Damselflies of Northumberland and Durham is a full-colour 67 page publication that describes the history, status, habitats, life cycle, distribution and future outlook of 24 species of dragonfly and damselfly found in the northeast of England up to 2016. Species accounts are accompanied by photographs and distribution maps."

Suffolk Dragonflies

Editor: Nick Mason and Adrian Parr

2016

"Back in 1992, the SNS published Howard Mendel’s book Suffolk Dragonflies. This excellent publication did a lot to advance our understanding of the county’s Odonata, and also helped cement Suffolk’s role as a key player in the British arena. While changes to the UK’s dragonfly fauna had been relatively gradual up until that point, a very great deal has, however, happened since then. Changes in land usage and in water quality have taken place, and the emergence of climate change as a major ecological factor has also had a dramatic impact. The time was thus right for a new look at the state of the county’s dragonflies. After a period of intensive fieldwork over 2008-2014 the results are in, and a new book on Suffolk dragonflies is now available. The book confirms that major changes have indeed taken place since 1992, with most species faring well. A number have, indeed, shown some quite spectacular increases in range and abundance. No less than eight new species have also been recorded from the county since the time of Mendel, with three of these now breeding (two in fact being recent colonists to Britain). In contrast to these increases, just a few species seem to be doing less well. The new book is strongly recommended to all of those with an interest in the county’s dragonflies, and to those curious as to how Britain’s wildlife is responding to recent ecological shifts."

Dragonflies & Damselflies of Gloucestershire: Their Distribution and Status

Ingrid Twissell

Gloucestershire Naturalists' Society

2016

"The result of a long and careful campaign of fieldwork and recording, this publication is an important addition to Gloucestershire fauna reference works and contains much useful information about dragonflies & damselflies in the county complete with distribution maps, flight times, sites guide etc. It is lavishly illustrated with photographs of both species and habitats."

The Dragonfly-Friendly Gardener

Ruary Mackenzie Dodds

2016

"The Essential Guide to Creating a Beautiful Garden Haven for Dragonflies. With stunning colours and phenomenal flying abilities, dragonflies are extraordinarily beautiful – and vital to our eco-system. Ruary Mackenzie Dodds, Britain’s leading dragonfly expert, offers top tips on how to attract these amazing insects to your garden. From creating a pond and choosing the right plants, to long-term pond care and even help with identifying dragonfly species, Ruary is buzzing with ideas for how to make your garden a wonderful sanctuary for both you and dragonflies to enjoy."

Atlas of the European Dragonflies and Damselflies

Editor: Jean-Pierre Boudot, Vincent J Kalkman

2015

"This is the first detailed and complete overview of the distribution of the dragonflies and damselflies of Europe. An important reference work for professionals and amateurs alike. Covers the distribution and habitat selection of all 143 European species of dragonflies and damselflies. Gives a complete description of global and European distribution, illustrated using over 200 distribution maps. Per species gives all the requisite information on taxonomy, range, population trends, flights season, and habitat. Includes unique photos and flight season diagrams for virtually all European dragonflies. Contains extensive background information on taxonomy, conservation, and a per-country overview of its history of odonatological studies."

The Dragonflies of Lancashire and North Merseyside

Steve White and Philip H. Smith

2015

Covers the 24 species recorded in the area. The distribution and breeding status of each species are mapped and details of flight periods described.

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

Steve Brooks. Steve Cham

Illustrations: Richard Lewington

British Wildlife Publishing

5th edition

2014

"All Great Britain and Ireland's resident and migrant dragonfly and damselfly species fully described and illustrated with more than 280 colour works by Richard Lewington, one of Europe's foremost wildlife illustrators. Fully updated, this 2014 edition features full descriptions, ecological notes and distribution maps, as well as a general introduction and regional guide to the best places to watch dragonflies."

Atlas of Dragonflies in Britain and Ireland

Editor: Steve Cham, Brian Nelson, Adrian Parr, Steve Prentice, Dave Smallshire, Pam Taylor

2014

"Produced in partnership with the British Dragonfly Society and DragonflyIreland, this full colour hardback book (approx. 400 pages) represents five years work by volunteers and partner organisations to map the distribution of damselflies and dragonflies throughout Britain and Ireland. As well as summarising the distribution of over 1 million dragonfly records, the Atlas includes: species accounts, including maps, for all 56 resident and immigrant species recorded in Britain and Ireland; four pages devoted to each resident species; sections on habitats, conservation, distribution changes and phenology; and high quality colour photographs of all species and their habitats."

Britain's Dragonflies: A Field Guide to the Damselflies and Dragonflies of Britain and Ireland

Dave Smallshire & Andy Swash

3rd edition

2014

"Britain's Dragonflies is the only comprehensive photographic field guide to the damselflies and dragonflies of Britain and Ireland. Written by two of Britain's foremost experts, this fully revised and updated edition features hundreds of stunning images and identification charts covering all 56 resident, migrant and former breeding species, and seven potential vagrants. The book focuses on identification--both of adults and larvae--highlighting the key features. Detailed species profiles provide concise information on identification, distribution, flight periods, behaviour, habitat, status and conservation. Other sections cover biology; how to watch, photograph, record and monitor Dragonflies; conservation status and legislation; and introduced exotic species."

The Dragonfly Diaries: The Unlikely Story of Europe's First Dragonfly Sanctuary

Ruary Mackenzie Dodds

2014

"Britain is home to some forty species of dragonfly, and public interest in their plight is high right now thanks to their primeval beauty, aerobatic grace and a growing realisation of their importance for water eco-systems. In The Dragonfly Diaries, Ruary Mackenzie Dodds shares his quirky fascination for these remarkable creatures over the 25 years he has been photographing and working with them. Combining fascinating description of the lives of dragonflies, with a diary chronicling the ups and downs of establishing Britain's first public dragonfly sanctuary, The Dragonfly Diaries is a must for nature buffs and for anyone who wants to be inspired by the resolve and dedication of a man on a mission to save these critically important insects."

Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Ireland

Robert Thompson and Brian Nelson

2014

"This is a field guide to the Irish dragonflies and damselflies designed primarily for naturalists, photographers and others who want to improve their field identification skills. The aim is to provide the reader with a quick reference guide to the adults of all the resident and migrant species which have been recorded in Ireland since 1980. There are brief texts on aspects such as behaviour, ecology and distribution, and descriptions which highlight the key diagnostic features of each species and the average flight period. The artworks by Richard Lewington on each species page illustrate mature males (occasionally teneral males) and females (not exactly to scale)."

Dragonflies: Behaviour and Ecology of Odonata

Philip S. Corbet

Revised edition

2014

"This outstanding monograph presents a critical review of information, published and unpublished, worldwide, on the behaviour and ecology of dragonflies in all stages of the life cycle for both physical and biotic environments. Information about tropical and temperate species in functional and evolutionary contexts is skilfully integrated and facts and ideas are reviewed in the context of current biological thinking. The book includes more than 4,000 bibliographical entries, and concludes with indexes to authors, taxa and subjects."

Dragonflight: In Search of Britain's Dragonflies and Damselflies

Marianne Taylor

2013

"This book is an account of two years spent getting to know Britain's most dazzling and enigmatic insects - the dragonflies and damselflies. The quest to find, photograph, watch and learn about dragons and damsels took the author on a tour of diverse and lovely wetlands up and down Britain, from the rugged wild peat bogs of north-west Scotland to the languid meanders of the Oxfordshire Thames. The account describes close encounters with the dragons and damsels themselves, set against backdrops of rich and vital habitats teeming with a range of other wildlife. It is also packed with background detail on dragonfly and damselfly natural history, and wetland ecology in general."

Dragonflies and Damselflies of the Bristol Region

R.J. Barnett, R.M. Andrews, T. Corner, R.J. Higgins, J.P. Martin, A. Pedlow

Bristol/Avon Regional Environmental Records Centre

2013

"Dragonflies and Damselflies of the Bristol Region presents the culmination of thousands of sightings by both professional ecologists, biologists and amateur naturalists, brought together by BRERC to enable the status of our species in the region to be assessed. Wonderful colour photographs accompany the distribution maps which reveal where the different species occur around Bristol, Bath and the surrounding countryside."

Dragonfly

David Chandler

2012

"Supremely colourful, among the most voracious predators of the insect world and on the wing for more than 300 million years, dragonflies and damselflies capture the imagination in so many ways. Yet many aspects of their fascinating lives are little-known to humans. Dragonfly provides an insight into a hidden world through engaging text and stunning close-up photography. Dragonfly combines insightful writing with rarely seen images of the life and behaviour of the world's dragonfly and damselfly species. There are chapters on subjects such as hunting, courtship and the emergence of the nymphs and their subsequent transformation into adult dragonflies."

Field Guide to the Larvae and Exuviae of British Dragonflies

Steve Cham

2012

"This field guide aids the identification of dragonfly and damselfly larvae and exuviae without the need for keys. It is fully illustrated with close-up colour photographs of all the key distinguishing features. It includes information on where to find larvae and exuviae and emergence periods for each species."

Odonata recording within BirdTrack: Non-technical specification

Andy Musgrove, Iain Downie, Mark Hammond, Nick Moran & Karen Wright

British Trust for Ornithology

2012

Opening lines: "BirdTrack (www.birdtrack.net) is an online system for birdwatchers to enter records of birds, either as single 'casual observations' or as 'complete lists'; the latter are preferable as they allow assessment of recording effort and inference of species absence. BirdTrack is a joint project of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), BirdWatch Ireland (BWI) and the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club (SOC), the core funding being provided by the first two of these organisations and the project run from the BTO."

Britain's Dragonflies: A Field Guide to the Damselflies and Dragonflies of Britain and Ireland

Dave Smallshire & Andy Swash

2nd edition

2010

"This is a comprehensive photographic field guide to the dragonflies and damselflies of Britain and Ireland. This completely revised second edition covers in detail the identification of all 56 species that have been recorded, as well as 7 potential vagrants. It aims to help the dragonfly-watcher - beginner or expert - to identify any species they encounter."

Dragonflies Of Kent

John & Gill Brook

2010

"This fully updated, second edition of the Dragonflies of Kent presents information on the distribution and status of 40 species which have been recorded in the county, as well as additional information on the life history and behaviour of dragonflies and damselflies; flight periods for all species; the use of exuviae - the shed larval skin - in recording and identification, including a key by the authors; and information on top sites to visit and the species to be found there."

Dragonflies

Philip Corbet & Stephen Brooks

Collins

2008

"In this seminal new work, Philip Corbet and Stephen Brooks examine the behaviour, ecology and distribution of dragonflies in Britain and Ireland, placing emphasis on the insects' habitats and also on measures needed to conserve them. Published in 1960 – with Philip Corbet as contributing author – volume 41 of the New Naturalist series provided the first in-depth study of the biology of British dragonflies, helping to inspire many people to take an interest in these intriguing insects. In this new volume, Corbet has teamed up with Stephen Brooks, offering a fascinating new outlook on the natural history of dragonflies. The authors have combined their knowledge and experience to help illuminate the relevance of British dragonfly species, placing them in the overall context of natural history from a broader, worldwide perspective. Illustrated with beautiful photography throughout, New Naturalist Dragonflies explores all aspects of the biological significance of dragonfly behaviour, thus revealing the beauty and hidden complexity of these powerful, agile, flying predators."

The Odonata Red Data List for Great Britain

Editor: C. Daguet, G. French and P. Taylor

2008

"This report assesses the current status of British Odonata, using Version 3.1 of the IUCN Red List categories and criteria (IUCN, 2001). The current status of each species has been determined through the analysis of records held within the Dragonfly Recording Network (DRN), along with expert opinions from members of the British Dragonfly Society's Dragonfly Conservation Group (DCG). In qualifying the Odonata status determined by information held within the DRN database, it is hoped that a more appropriate assessment of each Odonata species may be made and current gaps in Odonata recording highlighted."

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Hertfordshire

Alan Reynolds, Tom Gladwin and Christine Shepperson

2008

"This book covers all 19 species breeding in the county, with distribution maps and flight charts bases on a six-year county-wide study. There is also a 'where to watch' section giving details of the "top 10 sites in Hertfordshire."

Dragonflies and Damselflies: Model Organisms for Ecological and Evolutionary Research

Editor: Alex Cordoba-Aguilar

2008

"Dragonflies and Damselflies documents the latest advances in odonate biology and relates these to a broader ecological and evolutionary research agenda. Despite being one of the smallest insect orders, dragonflies offer a number of advantages for both laboratory and field studies. In fact, they have been crucial to the advancement of our understanding of insect ecology and evolution. This book provides a critical summary of the major advances in these fields. Contributions from many of the leading researchers in dragonfly biology offer new perspectives and paradigms as well as additional, unpublished, data. The editor has carefully assembled a mix of theoretical and applied chapters (including those addressing conservation and monitoring) and achieves a balance of emerging and established research topics, providing suggestions for future study in each case."

ID Insights Pocket Cards: The Dragonflies of Great Britain

Dan Powell

"Dragonfly expert Dan Powell has illustrated 51 species of British dragonflies and damselflies, with key ID tips to help you in the field. Printed on 13 full-colour hard-wearing postcard-sized cards."

Watching British Dragonflies

Steve Dudley, Caroline Dudley and Andrew Mackay

2007

"A completely new style of field guide combining, for the first time, a traditional identification guide and detailed site guide. Features a unique 14 page section with side by side comparisons of each regular British species by family. Species accounts cover 46 species. All British breeding species receive a 2 page spread (vagrants receive single pages) with specially commissioned artwork opposite concise species accounts. A site guide describes 94 of Britain's top dragonfly watching sites. All sites get at least a full page (some key sites such as Thurlsey Common in Surrey receive 2 pages) with full access details, species to look for, best time to visit and a site map."

The Dragonflies of Essex

Ted Benton and John Dobson

2007

Species accounts with colour photographs and distribution maps for all species recorded in the county. A site guide describing where to see each species. General chapters include information on dragonfly biology, conservation and a history of drangonfly recording in the county. Includes a detailed bibliography.

Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe

Klaas-Douwe B Dijkstra

British Wildlife Publishing

2006

"This superb new identification guide to all the dragonflies and damselflies of Britain and Europe, presented in an accessible, easy-to-use format, is the essential companion for the new generation of dragonfly watchers. Written by a team of dragonfly experts from across Europe, co-ordinated by K-D Dijkstra, and illustrated by Richard Lewington, generally accepted to be Europe's foremost illustrator of insects. The guide covers all of Europe, from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean Basin, including western Turkey, Cyprus, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and the Azones, Canaries and Madeira. The comprehensive texts and innovative keys and identification tables of adults of all 160 species of Odonata include field characters, hand characters, variation, behaviour, range and status, habitat and flight season, together with newly-researched distribution maps. There is also a comprehensive introduction to studying and identifying dragonflies, and a country-by-country guide to where to find them throughout Europe and North Africa and Turkey."

The Dragonflies of Northamptonshire: Breeding Species, their Distribution and Conservation

Mark Tyrrell

Northants Dragonfly Group

2006

"Lavishly illustrated with over 80 dragonfly photographs including larvea and emergence. The best sites to see our dragonflies are described, along with special features on the key county sites, with a complete list of recorded species and photographs illustrating the habitats. The conservation of each species is discussed with reference to the County Biodiversity Action Plan, and any specific threats in the county, along with general conservation issues. Distribution maps show abundance using colour coded dots, at 1km resolution for Northamptonshire & the Soke of Peterborough."

Dragonflies in Derbyshire: Status and Distribution 1977-2000

Rod Dunn and Dave Budworth

2005

The Dragonflies of Herefordshire

Peter Garner

2005

140 page book with introductory chapters on dragonfly recording in the county and dragonfly habitats, followed by species accounts for dragonflies recorded in Herefordshire. The accounts include details of status, distribution, flight period, behavious, habitat and identification. Colour photographs and distribution maps accompany the accounts.

Dragonflies: Behaviour and Ecology of Odonata

Philip S. Corbet

Revised edition

2004

"This outstanding monograph presents a critical review of information, published and unpublished, worldwide, on the behaviour and ecology of dragonflies in all stages of the life cycle for both physical and biotic environments. Information about tropical and temperate species in functional and evolutionary contexts is skilfully integrated and facts and ideas are reviewed in the context of current biological thinking. The book includes more than 4,000 bibliographical entries, and concludes with indexes to authors, taxa and subjects."

The Natural History of Ireland's Dragonflies

Brian Nelson and Robert Thompson

2004

"In this comprehensive study of the Irish fauna, Brian Nelson and Robert Thompson combine their knowledge and research based on twenty years of field study with new information gleaned from an extensive four-year study carried out by the DragonflyIreland Project. The book covers all aspects of dragonfly biology and ecology and the history of dragonfly study in Ireland. There are comprehensive accounts of all the resident and migrant species, an in-depth description of the major odonate habitats and a gallery section illustrating and describing over fifty sites in detail. Additional chapters include Fieldcraft, Conservation, Where to watch odonates and Photography. There is an extensive bibliography listing all currently known publications."

Britain's Dragonflies

Dave Smallshire & Andy Swash

2004

The Dragonflies of Europe

R.R. Askew

Revised edition

2004

"First published 15 years ago, this is the only book in English to cover the entire European fauna, comprising 124 species of resident damselfly and dragonfly. All species are illustrated and in most cases both sexes as well as important variants are depicted, all enlarged. The author has made a few corrections to his original text, which covered 114 species of Odonata breeding in Europe, and has added a new Preface and an updating Supplement. New information is given on nomenclature; orthography; thermoregulation; american species observed in europe; accidental introductions into europe; other species newly recognized in europe; species new to the british isles; expansion of recorded ranges within europe; other new distribution records; and contraction of recorded ranges."

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

Steve Brooks

Illustrations: Richard Lewington

Reprint of 2nd edition

2004

The Dragonflies of Sussex

P.A. Belden, V.J. Downer, H.D.V. Prendergast, D. Sadler

2004

Species accounts with distribution maps, colour photographs and identification information supported by general chapters on conservation, historic records, and more.

Dragonflies of Bedfordshire

Steve Cham

2004

Introductory chapters on dragonfly anatomy and life cycle, recording in the county, habitat, and conservation. Species accounts include distribution maps, colour photographs and information on historic records.

The Dragonflies of Hampshire

John Taverner, Steve Cham and Alan Hold

2004

Introductory chapters on dragonfly recording, conservation, habitats and sites in the county are followed by species accounts. Includes colour photographs.

Dragonflies of Norfolk

Pam Taylor

2003

Dragonflies

Steve Brooks

2002

"Steve Brooks takes the reader into the world of these fascinating insects. He introduces their complex lifestyles - from the ferocious larval stages, lurking amongst plants and debris in lakes and rivers, to their transformation into breathtaking adults swooping after prey or fighting rivals to defend their territories. He discusses how they evolved into masters of aerial predation, capable of travelling thousands of miles while on migration, and the complex reproductive strategies of courtship and territoriality. The imporatance of dragonflies is revealed as predators of insects such as mosquitoes, the adults of which transmit malaria, as well as their value as indicators of environmental quality. Also included are suggestions for projects that the reader can do to conserve dragonflies, like recording their distributions or digging a garden pond. "Dragonflies" is fully illustrated with colour photographs that reveal the beauty and hidden complexity of these intriguing insects."

Oaks, Dragonflies and People: Creating a Small Nature Reserve and Relating its Story to Wider Conservation Issues

Norman W. Moore

2002

"This is a very personal account of the author's experiences in the field of conservation. In the first part, he describes how he acquired a neighbouring field some 40 years ago and transformed it into a private nature reserve, with a wood, a large pond and rough grassland, and the wildlife which has subsequently colonized it. In the second, he relates his own local efforts to the wider conservation scene and outlines how the failures of democratic governments to carry out crucial long-term measures might be overcome."

A Guide To The Dragonflies Of Great Britain

Dan Powell

1999

"A beautifully illustrated guide to the dragonflies & damselflies of the British Isles. Includes detailed information on anatomy life cycle & behaviour how to begin a study information sources how to find your own site what species to look for first habitats rare migrants field craft & conservation. Each species account is colour coded gives hints on jizz & first impressions as well as size details flight period status & comparison with similar species."

Dragonflies of the Lothians

Bob Saville

1997

The Dragonflies of Staffordshire

Neil Collingwood

1997

The Dragonflies Of Worcestershire

Mike Averill

Atlas of the Dragonflies of Britain and Ireland

R. Merritt, N.W. Moore and B.C. Eversham

1996

"This volume contains a complete set of distribution maps, and information on all the resident and more frequent immigration dragonflies in Britain and Ireland. It takes a look at the present and changing status of dragonfly species, provides insight into their distribution, gives descriptions to aid recognition, and summarizes aspects of behaviour and details of habitat. The information for the atlas comes from the Recording Scheme set up at the Biological Records Centre 25 years ago which, apart from deepening our understanding of dragonflies, has focused attention on the need for conservation measures. This book includes important and notable discoveries made in the course of the research, and provides a history of conservation in Britain and Ireland and the context and rationale for future efforts. It is a book which should be of interest not only to amateur naturalists and fieldworkers but also students and professional biologists."

The Dragonflies Of Surrey

Peter Follett

1996

Butterflies and Dragonflies: A Site Guide

Paul Hill and Colin Twist

Arlequin Press

1996

"A detailed guide to where and when to watch dragonflies and butterflies at 116 sites throughout England, Scotland and Wales."

The Dragonflies of Oxfordshire

Anthony Brownett

1996

The Dragonflies of Shropshire

Lockton, Bellis, Cheeseborough & Whild

1995

Leicestershire Dragonflies

Steve Grover and Helen Ikin

1994

Dragonflies and Damselflies of the London Borough of Barnet: A Provisional Atlas

Clive Herbert

1994

Suffolk Dragonflies

Howard Mendel

1993

Dragonflies of Fife: A Provisional Atlas

A.M. Smout and P. Kinnear

1993

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Cheshire

R. Gabb and D. Kitching

1992

The Dragonflies of Dorset

E.D.V. Prendergast

1991

Distribution of Dragonflies in Gloucestershire

Sonia Holland

The Dragonflies of the Banbury area

Anthony Brownett

1990

The Dragonflies of Europe

R.R. Askew

1988

A Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain, Europe and North Africa

J. d'Aguilar, J-L. Dommanget, R. Prehac

1986

A Complete Guide to British Dragonflies

Andrew McGeeney

1986

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Britain and Northern Europe

Bob Gibbons

1986

Dragonflies of Pembrokeshire

J.W. Saunders

1986

The Dragonflies of Great Britain and Ireland

Cyril O. Hammond

Harley Books

Second edition

1985

Dragonflies

Philip. S. Corbet, Cynthia Longfield & N. W. Moore

The New Naturalist 41

1960

"We are fortunate in having in Britain forty-three species - representatives of eight of the eleven largest and most widespread families of dragonflies and these provide the subject of an intensive study by the three distinguished naturalists who are responsible for the present volume. These naturalists have produced a most useful history and definitive account of the British dragonflies, a book for every kind of student of insects from the amateur collector and insect watcher to the professional."

The Dragonflies of the British Isles

Cynthia Longfield

Revised edition

1949

The Dragonflies of the British Isles

Cynthia Longfield

1937

The Biology Of Dragonflies (Odonata Or Paraneuroptera)

R.J. Tillyard

1917

British Dragonflies (Odonata)

W.J. Lucas

1900

British Libellulinae, Or, Dragon flies

W.F. Evans

1845