Dragonflies and Damselflies of California

Disciplines Sciences Organismal Biology Entomology

About the Book

The Exclamation Damsel, Bison Snaketail, Powdered Dancer, Black Meadowhawk, and Sedge Sprite are just a few of the dragonflies and damselflies identified in this complete guide to California’s abundant Odonates.

o Species accounts discuss identification in the field and in the hand, behavior, habitat associations, geographic distribution, and flight season

o Includes 40 vivid full-color plates and supplemental black-and-white drawings

o Provides a general overview of dragonfly anatomy, behavior, life history, and a complete set of range maps

About the Author

Timothy D. Manolis is an artist, illustrator, and biological consultant. From 1986 to 1990, he was the editor and art director of the magazine Mainstream. His papers on birds and his bird illustrations have appeared in many journals and magazines.

Reviews

“This handy guide just about fits in a jacket pocket, and appears to have waterproof flexible covers. . . . The text is succinct and illustrated nicely with line drawings. . . . I found it easy to read and more than comprehensive enough for a field guide. . . . Not only is this book essential for any odonatist visiting California, but also worth while anywhere for pure enjoyment! It is number 72 in a series of books called the ‘California Natural History Guides’, and if the other 71 are anywhere near as good, then I calculate that an all-round naturalist will need to take 18 jackets on his next visit.”—Nev Yates Austrolestes

“For anyone wishing to learn about more than our vertebrate fauna, this field guide is a fascinating way to start.”—Norman D. Penny California Wild

“This book should be very popular. . . . My daughter and I used this book with great success last year in the field.”—Larry G. Bezark Pan-Pacific Entomologist

"A book that will both educate and delight anyone who wants to know more about these fascinating insects. Packed with facts but written in a straightforward style, the book makes California’s 108 dragonfly and damselfly species easily accessible. . . . It will engender a renewed appreciation of the value of our wetlands."—Dennis Paulson, author of Dragonflies of Washington

"This is now the book on all the California Odonates and should ride in the pack of every naturalist, butterflier, and birder in the American west."—Rich Stallcup, Point Reyes Bird Observatory

Preface

INTRODUCTION

Adult Dragonfly Anatomy

Dragonfly Behavior
Feeding Behavior
Antipredator Behavior
Reproductive Behavior
Thermoregulation
Dispersal
Life Cycles and Larvae of Dragonflies

Family and Subfamily Key to Dragonfly Larvae

Distribution

Watching Dragonflies

Identifying Dragonflies

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

About the Maps

Family and Subfamily Key to Adult Dragonflies

SPECIES ACCOUNTS
Broad-winged Damsels (Family Calopterygidae)
Spreadwings (Family Lestidae)
Pond Damsels (Family Coenagrionidae)
Petaltails (Family Petaluridae)
Darners (Family Aeshnidae)
Clubtails (Family Gomphidae)
Spiketails (Family Cordulegastridae)
Skimmers, Emeralds and Baskettails, and Cruisers (Family Libellulidae)
Cruisers (Macromiinae)
Emeralds and Baskettails (Corduliinae)
Skimmers (Libellulinae)

Checklist of California Dragonflies and Damselflies
Species of Hypothetical Occurrence
Glossary
References
Index