This is the first fully illustrated guide to all 336 dragonfly and damselfly species of eastern North America—from the rivers of Manitoba to the Florida cypress swamps—and the companion volume to Dennis Paulson’s acclaimed field guide to the dragonflies and damselflies of the West. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East features hundreds of color photos that depict all the species found in the region, detailed line drawings to aid in-hand identification, and a color distribution map for every species—and the book’s compact size and user-friendly design make it the only guide you need in the field. Species accounts describe key identification features, distribution, flight season, similar species, habitat, and natural history. Paulson’s authoritative introduction offers a primer on dragonfly biology and identification, and also includes tips on how to study and photograph these stunningly beautiful insects.
- Illustrates all 336 eastern species
- Features hundreds of full-color photos
- Includes detailed species accounts, line drawings to aid identification, and a color distribution map for every species
- Offers helpful tips for the dragonfly enthusiast
Dennis Paulson's books include Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West and Shorebirds of North America (both Princeton). Now retired, he was director of the Slater Museum of Natural History at the University of Puget Sound.
"I truly believe that if there is such a thing as the 'must-have' book, Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East is IT. . . . It contains all 336 species of Odonata that have been found in eastern North America. Not just dragons or just damsels, [but] all Odonata. That means ONE book for everything. It has excellent full-color photographs that are large enough to see many of coloration and patterns that are important. . . . The species accounts are well-done with reference to similar species when appropriate. The natural history summaries for genera are very good, and valuable information for any ode enthusiast."—Mark O'Brien, Michigan Odonotes
"This is a beautiful book, a joy to hold and to look at. Although it is a paperback, it is printed on sturdy glossy paper that will hold up well in the field. . . . [I] recommend it as an essential field guide to the dragonflies."—Devorah Bennu, GrrlScientist
"This is an excellent landmark field guide that belongs in every naturalist's collection."—Donna Schulman, 10,000 Birds
"[A] terrific volume that will be very popular among odonate enthusiasts in the East."—Choice
"[T]hese volumes are obviously authoritative, comprehensive and clearly designed with the needs of the naturalist in mind. The photographs are excellent and . . . the text makes up for the unavoidable shortcomings of a photo-guide by including full descriptions of each species. Altogether, these two volumes constitute a complete, highly informative and beautifully illustrated guide to the Odonata of North America."—Guy Padfield, UKbutterflies
"Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East is by far the most complete treatment of its kind. It is chock-full of interesting and useful information, and the illustrations are excellent. Paulson is one of the top experts in this field and his book reflects that extensive knowledge on every page."—Giff Beaton, author of Dragonflies and Damselflies of Georgia and the Southeast
"Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East is superbly organized, concisely written, and beautifully illustrated. It combines the strengths of a field guide with the invaluable technical information of a manual. As such, the reader will have a strong tool in his or her possession. There really is no other book like it."—Allen E. Barlow, senior author of Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Jersey
