Dragonflies and Damselflies in Your Pocket

A Guide to the Odonates of the Upper Midwest

By Ann Johnson

Bur Oak Guides

laminated fold-out guide, 55 color photos, 2009
16 3/4 x 16 7/8 inches folds to 4 1/8 x 9 inches
$9.95, 1-58729-786-8, 978-1-58729-786-1
$99.00, 10-pack point-of-purchase display, 1-58729-787-6, 978-1-58729-787-8

“This delightful, user-friendly publication is a nice introduction to the fascinating and beautiful world of dragonflies and damselflies. It is sure to swell the happy ranks of dragonfly and damselfly watchers. Enjoy!”—Sidney W. Dunkle, author, Dragonflies through Binoculars: A Field Guide to Dragonflies of North America

“With beautiful photos backed up by concise text, this little guide is simple and easy to use as it introduces birders and general naturalists to a wonderful group of insects, the Odonata. It should be in every glove compartment and backpack.”—Dennis Paulson, author, Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West

Just as more and more people enjoy watching birds and butterflies, watching the many shimmering dragonflies and damselflies—collectively called odonates, from Odonata, the name of this order of aquatic insects—has become a popular pastime. Now Dragonflies and Damselflies in Your Pocket introduces us to 50 of the showiest odonates of the Upper Midwest.

Ann Johnson’s text is clear and informative and her photographs are stunning; it is impossible to look at them without wanting to head out for the nearest stream and search for the living insects. In addition to providing useful general information about broad-winged damsels, spreadwings, pond damsels, darners, clubtails, cruisers, emeralds, and skimmers, she includes common and scientific names, sizes, general flight seasons, and the best habitats in which to find each species: rocky rivers, wetlands, ponds, still waters, and so on.

With their extremely large eyes, elongated transparent wings, long and slender abdomens, and prehensile extendible jaws, dragonflies and damselflies are efficient hunters and quick, darting fliers. Their beauty and their behavior make them delightful subjects for birdwatchers and other nature lovers. Dragonflies and Damselflies in Your Pocket will greatly enhance your appreciation of these winged marvels.

Ann Johnson is a management analyst for the Iowa Department of Human Services, a founding member of the Iowa Odonata Survey, and the owner of AJ Endeavors, which specializes in natural history web development. A self-described birder gone bad, she now spends summers chasing more bugs than birds near her home in south central Iowa.

Nature   Midwest