Species Of Odonata Research Articles

IMPACT OF AGROCHEMICALS ON ODONATA IN RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.) ECOSYSTEM

ABSTRACT Two supervised field experiments were conducted during kharif, 2012 and rabi, 2012-13 to study theimpact of agrochemicals on the population of odonata in rice at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute (PAJANCOA & RI), Karaikal, U.T. of Puducherry, India. Theexperiment was laid out in a randomized block design with eight treatments and three replications. It includes sole application of herbicide (Butachlor @ 2.5 litres/ha), fertilizers (NPK applied @ 50% N +100% P + 100% K), insecticide (Chlorpyriphos @ 0.02 per cent seedling dip and foliar spray @ 1250ml/ha), herbicide + fertilizer, herbicide + insecticide, fertilizer + insecticide, herbicide + fertilizer +insecticide and untreated check. In this experiment eight species of odonata viz., Agriocnemis pygmaeaRambur, Ceriagrion coromandelianum F., Ischnura aurora Brauer, Lestes elatus Hagen in Selys, Diplacodes trivialis Rambur, Orthetrum sabina Drury, Pantala flavescens F. and Rhyothemis variegata Linn. were identified during the crop growth period. The population of odonata was recorded from 1st week to 12th week after transplanting. During kharif, the overall mean population of odonata ranged from 0.19 to 0.65/sweeping. It was found that the per cent reduction was higher in thetreatment with herbicide + insecticide (70.77%) compared to the untreated check. During rabi, theoverall mean population of odonata ranged from 0.19 to 0.56/sweeping. A higher per cent reductionwas observed in the treatment with herbicide + insecticide (66.07%) as in the kharif. It was concludedfrom both field experiments a higher population of odonata was observed in the untreated checkfollowed by the treatment with fertilizer alone while a low population was observed in the herbicide +insecticide treatment followed by insecticide alone.

The Dragonfly Association Index (Insecta: Odonata)—a Tool for the Type‐Specific Assessment of Lowland Rivers

AbstractSpecies traits of 57 Odonata species occurring in the Austrian bioregion Eastern Ridges and Lowlands (ecoregion Hungarian Lowlands; Illies, ) were defined by factor loadings of 12 habitat parameters: stream sections crenon, rhithron and potamon; flow velocity; standing water; temporary water; size of water body; open water; open banks; submerged macrophytes; reed; and riparian trees. On the basis of the species‐specific configurations of these habitat parameters, cluster analysis revealed seven dragonfly associations with different habitat needs: association of open waters, association of sparsely vegetated banks, association of reed and riparian trees, association of reed and submerged macrophytes, association of temporary waters, rhithron association and potamon association. Correlations between the associations' habitat requirements and the habitat parameters of the seven (near‐)natural river types, which are present in this bioregion were performed to define river type‐specific association compositions. From these results, a dragonfly association index was created to assess the ecological status of these rivers within the five‐tiered system of the European Union Water Framework Directive, emphasizing hydro‐morphological aspects by comparing the type‐specific reference situation with the actual status quo of dragonfly colonization. The method was applied at different rivers, particularly for the purpose of evaluating restoration measures. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Can coarse‐grain patterns in insect atlas data predict local occupancy?

AbstractAimSpecies atlases provide an economical way to collect data with national coverage, but are typically too coarse‐grained to monitor fine‐grain patterns in rarity, distribution and abundance. We test the performance of ten downscaling models in extrapolating occupancy across two orders of magnitude. To provide a greater challenge to downscaling models, we extend previous downscaling tests with plants to highly mobile insect taxa (Odonata) with a life history that is tied to freshwater bodies for reproduction. We investigate the species‐level correlates of predictive accuracy for the best performing model to understand whether traits driving spatial structure can cause interspecific variation in downscaling success.LocationMainland Britain.MethodsOccupancy data for 38 British Odonata species were extracted from the Dragonfly Recording Network (DRN). Occupancy at grains ≥ 100 km2 was used as training data to parameterize ten downscaling models. Predicted occupancy at the 25, 4 and 1 km2 grains was compared to observed data at corresponding grains. Model predictive error was evaluated across species and grains.Main conclusionsThe Hui model gave the most accurate downscaling predictions across 114 species:grain combinations and the best predictions for 14 of the 38 species, despite being the only model using information at a single spatial grain. The occupancy–area relationship was sigmoidal in shape for most species. Species' distribution type and dispersal ability explained over half of the variation in downscaling predictive error at the species level. Species with a climatic range limit in Britain were poorly predicted compared with other distribution types, and high dispersal ability was associated with relatively poor downscaling predictions. Our results suggest that downscaling models, using widely available coarse‐grain atlas data, provide reasonable estimates of fine‐grain occupancy, even for insect taxa with strong spatial structure. Linking species‐level traits with predictive accuracy reveals general principles about when downscaling will be successful.

Species Composition, Distribution and Habitat Types of Odonata in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and the Associated Conservation Implications

Maputaland–Pondoland–Albany, South Africa has been identified as a biodiversity hotspot and centre for endemism. Odonata make good indicators of freshwater ecosystem health. Consequently we compiled a list of Odonata species recorded to date in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. We then detailed important species in terms of endemism, conservation status, and potential as indicator species. Finally, we compared Odonata assemblages of different sites sampled within the park to illustrate habitat importance. Species identified during two formal surveys and incidental observations made during the study period were combined with an existing database to compile an accurate and up to date species list for the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Data from this study were then analyzed to determine which water bodies had the most similar species composition. The Dragonfly Biotic Index (DBI) value of each study area was also determined. We recorded 68 odonate species in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, adding 13 species to the Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife database for the area. This brings the total number of Odonata species for the iSimangaliso Wetland Park to 86. Eight species are red-listed, 12 are restricted in South Africa to the coastal plains of northern KwaZulu-Natal, and the remainder occurs widely across the southern African savanna. Analyses indicate that species odonate assemblages were most similar in water bodies with comparable habitats. iSimangaliso Wetland Park is identified as an important area for Odonata diversity and endemism, a trend also reflected by the DBI values. Shifts in the existing species assemblages would indicate changes within the ecosystem and thus this species account provides necessary baseline data for the area. Species Conservation efforts should thus target water bodies of varying habitat types to protect greater species diversity.

Molecular phylogeny of the higher taxa of Odonata (Insecta) inferred from COI, 16S rRNA, 28S rRNA, and EF1‐α sequences

AbstractIn this study, we sequenced both two mitochondrial genes (COI and 16S rRNA) and nuclear genes (28S rRNA and elongation factor‐1α) from 71 species of Odonata that represent 7 superfamilies in 3 suborders. Phylogenetic testing for each two concatenated gene sequences based on function (ribosomal vs protein‐coding genes) and origin (mitochondrial vs nuclear genes) proved limited resolution. Thus, four concatenated sequences were utilized to test the previous phylogenetic hypotheses of higher taxa of Odonata via Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) algorithms, along with the data partition by the BI method. As a result, three slightly different topologies were obtained, but the BI tree without partition was slightly better supported by the topological test. This topology supported the suborders Anisoptera and Zygoptera each being a monophyly, and the close relationship of Anisozygoptera to Anisoptera. All the families represented by multiple taxa in both Anisoptera and Zygoptera were consistently revealed to each be a monophyly with the highest nodal support. Unlike consistent and robust familial relationships in Zygoptera those of Anisoptera were partially unresolved, presenting the following relationships: ((((Libellulidae + Corduliidae) + Macromiidae) + Gomphidae + Aeshnidae) + Anisozygoptera) + (((Coenagrionidae + Platycnemdidae) + Calopterygidae) + Lestidae). The subfamily Sympetrinae, represented by three genera in the anisopteran family Libellulidae, was not monophyletic, dividing Crocothemis and Deielia in one group together with other subfamilies and Sympetrum in another independent group.

Riqueza y distribución de la familia Aeshnidae (Odonata: Anisoptera) en el estado de Aguascalientes, México

The species richness and geographic distribution of the family Aeshnidae (Odonata) in the state of Aguascalientes is presented. A total of 168 adult individuals from 55 localities were collected during a 12 months period between August 2006 and July 2007. They belong to four genera and seven species. The genus Rhionaeschna showed the highest number of species (3), followed by Anax (2), Aeshna (1) and Remartinia (1). Specific richness of the family Aeshnidae in the state of Aguascalientes corresponds to the 11.9% of all Odonata species recorded for the state and 23.3% of the species recorded of this family for México. The species accumulation curve is stabilized, but according to Chao 2, Jacknife 1 and Jacknife 2 non-parametric estimators, the sampling effort performed estimates between 80.3% and 97.5% of the species of this family that theoretically exist in the state of Aguascalientes. The localities that showed a higher species richness were La Rinconada, stream at Malpaso and Puente La Labor, all belonging to the municipality of Calvillo, and the Estación Biológica Agua Zarca (EBAZ) in the municipality of San José de Gracia. The distribution of the species reflects three regional patterns: Altiplano Mexicano, Sierra Madre Occidental and Neotropical.

Continental-Scale Assessment of Risk to the Australian Odonata from Climate Change

Climate change is expected to have substantial impacts on the composition of freshwater communities, and many species are threatened by the loss of climatically suitable habitat. In this study we identify Australian Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) vulnerable to the effects of climate change on the basis of exposure, sensitivity and pressure to disperse in the future. We used an ensemble of species distribution models to predict the distribution of 270 (85%) species of Australian Odonata, continent-wide at the subcatchment scale, and for both current and future climates using two emissions scenarios each for 2055 and 2085. Exposure was scored according to the departure of temperature, precipitation and hydrology from current conditions. Sensitivity accounted for change in the area and suitability of projected climatic habitat, and pressure to disperse combined measurements of average habitat shifts and the loss experienced with lower dispersal rates. Streams and rivers important to future conservation efforts were identified based on the sensitivity-weighted sum of habitat suitability for the most vulnerable species. The overall extent of suitable habitat declined for 56–69% of the species modelled by 2085 depending on emissions scenario. The proportion of species at risk across all components (exposure, sensitivity, pressure to disperse) varied between 7 and 17% from 2055 to 2085 and a further 3–17% of species were also projected to be at high risk due to declines that did not require range shifts. If dispersal to Tasmania was limited, many south-eastern species are at significantly increased risk. Conservation efforts will need to focus on creating and preserving freshwater refugia as part of a broader conservation strategy that improves connectivity and promotes adaptive range shifts. The significant predicted shifts in suitable habitat could potentially exceed the dispersal capacity of Odonata and highlights the challenge faced by other freshwater species.

Morphological and geographical traits of the british odonata.

Trait data are fundamental for many aspects of ecological research, particularly for modeling species response to environmental change. We synthesised information from the literature (mainly field guides) and direct measurements from museum specimens, providing a comprehensive dataset of 26 attributes, covering the 43 resident species of Odonata in Britain. Traits included in this database range from morphological traits (e.g. body length) to attributes based on the distribution of the species (e.g. climatic restriction). We measured 11 morphometric traits from five adult males and five adult females per species. Using digital callipers, these measurements were taken from dry museum specimens, all of which were wild caught individuals. Repeated measures were also taken to estimate measurement error. The trait data are stored in an online repository (https://github.com/BiologicalRecordsCentre/Odonata_traits), alongside R code designed to give an overview of the morphometric data, and to combine the morphometric data to the single value per trait per species data.

When rare is just a matter of sampling: unexpected dominance of clubtail dragonflies (Odonata, Gomphidae) through different collecting methods at Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

When rare is just a matter of sampling: Unexpected dominance of clubtail dragonflies (Odonata, Gomphidae) through different collecting methods at Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Capture of dragonfly adults during two short expeditions to Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais State, using three distinct collecting methodsaerial nets, Malaise and light sheet trapsis reported. The results are outstanding due the high number of species of Gomphidae (7 out of 26 Odonata species), including a new species of Cyanogomphus Selys, 1873, obtained by two non-traditional collecting methods. Because active collecting with aerial nets is the standard approach for dragonfly inventories, we discuss some aspects of the use of traps, comparing our results with those in the literature, suggesting they should be used as complementary methods in faunistic studies. Furthermore, Zonophora campanulata annulata Belle, 1983 is recorded for the first time from Minas Gerais State and taxonomic notes about Phyllogomphoides regularis (Selys, 1873) and Progomphus complicatus Selys, 1854 are also given.

Adult Odonata conservatism as an indicator of freshwater wetland condition

There is a growing need to identify effective and efficient biological indicators for wetland assessment, and adult damselflies and dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata) possess several attributes that make them attractive for this application. We introduce a general indicator of freshwater wetland condition based on objectively estimated adult Odonata species conservatism, or sensitivity to human disturbances. We used an extensive opportunistic survey dataset from Rhode Island (USA) to empirically assign a coefficient of conservatism (CoC) to each of 135 Odonata species, based on their exclusivity to categories of degradation among 510 wetlands; the mean CoC of species observed in the adult stage was applied as an index of wetland integrity. An independent sample of 51 wetlands was also drawn from the opportunistic survey to test the performance of the index relative to human disturbance, as measured by multimetric rapid assessment and surrounding impervious surface area. The index was well predicted by both disturbance measures and showed no evidence of dependence on sampling effort, wetland size, or geomorphic class. Our findings suggest that conservatism of adult Odonata averaged across species may provide a robust indicator of freshwater wetland condition. And because adult Odonata are generally easy to identify, especially relative to larval Odonata, the index could be particularly useful for wetland assessment. Our straightforward empirical approach to CoC estimation could be applied to other existing spatially referenced Odonata datasets or to other species assemblages.

Odonata diversity of the middle and lower reaches of the Red River basin, Yunnan, China

Eighty six species of Odonata are recorded from the middle and lower reaches of the Red River basin. Archineura hetaerinoides is recorded from China for the first time. Five genera and five species are new to Yunnan Province. Among the six types of odonate habitats, forest streams have the highest species diversity whereas ponds have the most species shared with other habitats. Both of these two habitats are important in biodiversity conservation and need urgent protection.

Biting in dragonfly fights

Slow motion films of fight behaviour of five different species of Odonata were analysed. In all cases biting played a major role. The biting duration depended on the duration of a stable connection between the two opponents. Sitting odonates showed much longer biting than those that were flying. In fights of Anax junius and Calopteryx splendens long biting between males led to serious injuries and death. Two males of Anax imperator bit each other by very short strikes during looping flights together, better described as hack-biting. This hack-biting was seen in two other fights: a female of Libellula quadrimaculata bit a harassing male on the head, immobilizing him, and during a male–male fight in C. splendens flying nearly on the spot. Loops, very brief but relatively stable flight positions, were used for biting in three cases. The significance of biting in inter- and intrasexual competition in Odonata is discussed.

Tracking the boundary between the Palaearctic and the Oriental region: new insights from dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata)

AbstractAimWe aim to define the hotspots, faunal regions and faunal elements of Odonata in Eurasia. We describe the location and the extent of the transition zone between the Palaearctic and Oriental realms.LocationEurasia.MethodsOdonata are suitable for this study because the number of species in the group is sufficient for the required analyses, their distributions are mostly known, and they are split into the highly dispersive Anisoptera and the weakly dispersive Zygoptera. For our analyses, Eurasia was classified into 63 regions, within which we determined the presence or absence of each of the 1765 Odonata species. We calculated species richness maps and performed cluster analysis and principal components analysis to extract faunal regions and elements.ResultsOccurrence records of Eurasian Odonata were partitioned among three major biogeographical entities: (1) Europe, North Africa and North Asia; (2) India, Indochina and southern China; and (3) northern China, Korea and Japan. Each of these entities has further notable substructures and faunal elements, especially in Southeast Asia. The tropical rain forest region of Southeast Asia is the species diversity hotspot of odonates and has the highest number of (often localized) faunal elements. The northern border of the Oriental region reaches southernmost China and the southern slopes of the Himalayas, but the transitional zone between the Oriental and the Palaearctic region extends much farther north, and includes northern China, Japan and Manchuria. The lower dispersal ability of Zygoptera compared with that of Anisoptera is mirrored in various biogeographical patterns: (1) the Western Palaearctic influence on the Eastern Palaearctic is stronger in Anisoptera than in Zygoptera; (2) Zygoptera have more faunal elements on islands than do Anisoptera; and (3) Zygoptera are isolated by the Strait of Gibraltar, but do not show a finer‐grained structure of their faunal elements on the mainland.Main conclusionsThe less severe impact of the ice ages in Southeast Asia resulted in the evolution and survival of Odonata species in many regional refugia. These faunal elements have had a greater impact on the post‐glacial colonization than previously thought and strongly influence the composition of Odonata in East Asia.

The Odonata of Wayne County, MI: Inspiration for Renewed Monitoring of Urban Areas

Abstract Ninety species of Odonata are now verified by specimens for Wayne County, MI, a highly urbanized county in the southeastern corner of the state. This total represents 54% of the total number recorded in the state of Michigan. Thirty-three species not previously reported from Wayne County have been collected since 2000, despite a long history of collecting in the area and relatively little remaining appropriate habitat. These results suggest previous workers may have neglected to do much serious collecting here, and emphasize the need for collecting and monitoring Odonata in urban areas.

Effect of vegetation removal for road building on richness and composition of Odonata communities in Amazonia, Brazil

This study showed that the main impact on Odonata species of removal of riparian vegetation for road building was on community composition, since species richness remained unaltered. This result, most evident in damselflies, was probably driven by the entry of generalist species that replaced specialist species after the impact. We collected adult odonates in forested and deforested streams in the surroundings of Manaus, Amazonas, northern Brazil. We collected 380 specimens belonging to 32 odonate species. Erythrodiplax fusca and Argia sp. 1 could be used in biomonitoring programs, since they were significantly associated with deforested streams. Using odonate community composition and key species appears to be more efficient in biomonitoring programs than simply using species richness. Em nosso estudo mostramos que o principal impacto sobre as especies de Odonata causado pela retirada da vegetacao ciliar para a construcao de estradas e a modificacao na composicao da comunidade, uma vez que a riqueza de e...

Farmland versus forest: comparing changes in Odonata species composition in western and eastern Sweden

AbstractDespite the loss of natural ecosystems in the developed world during the past millennia, anthropogenic landscapes still sustain much biodiversity. Our question was, whether ten year changes in regional Odonata faunas are comparable between farmland and forested areas, or if the species pool of farmland areas respond in other ways than that of forest.We used data of dragonfly larvae collected from 16 lakes in a farmland area in south‐western Sweden in the years 2002 and 2011/12, and compared these to data from 34 lakes in a forest area in south‐eastern Sweden in the years 1996 and 2006.The species‐richness in the agricultural region increased by 17% but decreased by 13% in the forested region. The changes in occurrence and regional distribution were similar in both areas, affecting 71% and 69% of the species pool. Average extinction rates were comparable between the agricultural and the forested region (38% and 43%) while colonisation rates differed greatly (64% and 114%).The species composition differed between the regions; the forest lakes harboured a 29% larger species pool. It is possible that in the forested region, the regional species pool in areas surrounding the study sites could stabilise the extinction and have a positive effect on changes in species composition. We assume that the different habitat structures of the waters in the agricultural and the forest regions and changes in temperature are the main driving forces behind the shifts. The mean seasonal air temperature has increased by circa 0.5 °C in both regions, when comparing ten‐year periods before each sampling year.

New records of damselfly Lestes thoracicus Laidlaw, 1920 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Lestidae) from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh states, central India

A new distribution record of an Odonata species from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh is reported. Lestes thoracicus Laidlaw, 1920 is recorded for the first time from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Previously the species was recorded only from Bihar, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Orissa, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Diagnostic characters with photographic details of male anal appendages are also given for easy identification of this rare damselfly species.

Species Composition of Odonate Fauna in Meegahawatta, a Wetland Area in Hanwella, Sri Lanka

Approximately 120 species of Odonata (Zygoptera and Anisoptera) have been recorded in SriLanka to date. There are many gaps in our knowledge of Odonata taxonomy and distribution. The presentstudy, therefore, was carried out to investigate adult Odonata species present in Meegahawatta area(1000m2) in Hanwella. The study was carried out using two fixed quadrats (20m x 10m) randomlyestablished in two selected sites. Total number of individuals belonging to each species was countedfortnightly by using binoculars. A total of 27 species, 11 Zygoptera and 16 Anisoptera representing eightfamilies were recorded. This comprised of three endemic Zygopteran species (Libellago adami,Pseudagrion rubiceps ceylonicum and Prodasineura sita) and three endemic anisopteran species(Epopthalmia vittata cyanocephala, Cyclogomphus gynostylus and Macrogomphus lankanensis). Amongthose identified was one recently discovered and yet un-described Archibasis species. Of the threeendemic Anisopteran species recorded, C. gynostylus and M. lankanensis are listed as vulnerable speciesin the IUCN Redlist of 2010. Although the Zygopterans showed higher Diversity Index and EvennessIndex (H’= 1.99, E= 0.83) than the Anisopterans (H’=1.96, E= 0.32), their Richness Index (R=1.67) wasless than that of the Anisopterans (R= 2.49). The most common Zygopteran species recorded wasPseudagrion malabaricum whereas Neurothemis tulia tulia was the most common anisopteran species.

The gustatory sensilla on the endophytic ovipositor of Odonata

The present paper aims at describing the fine structure of coeloconic sensilla located on the cutting valves of the endophytic ovipositor of two Odonata species, the anisopteran Aeshna cyanea (Aeshnidae) and the zygopteran Ischnura elegans (Coenagrionidae), by carrying out parallel investigations under SEM and TEM. In both species these coeloconic sensilla are innervated by four unbranched neurons forming four outer dendritic segments enveloped by the dendrite sheath. One dendrite terminates at the base of the peg forming a well developed tubular body, while the other three enter the peg after interruption of the dendrite sheath. The cuticle of the peg shows an apical pore and a joint membrane. This last feature, together with the tubular body and the suspension fibers, represent the mechanosensory components of the sensillum while the pore and the dendrites entering the peg allow chemoreception. The ultrastructural organization of these coeloconic sensilla is in agreement with the one reported for insect gustatory sensilla. Our investigation describes for the first time typical insect gustatory sensilla in Odonata. Electrophysiological and behavioral studies are needed to verify the role that these structures can perform in sensing the egg-laying substrata.

Dennis Paulson: Dragonflies and damselflies of the east

This welcome guide is a companion to an earlier volume in the same series (Paulson 2009) dealing with the western fauna of North America, and follows the same clear and informative format. As a fully illustrated field guide to adults of the 336 species of Odonata in the region, it has the primary goals of enabling identification and presenting material on natural history to prompt wide interest in these already popular insects. The two books together comprise authoritative guides to the North American representatives, with the excellent colour photographs of living adults a major feature. The book falls into three sections. The initial introduction is a wide-ranging account of the natural history of the Odonata, reflecting Paulson’s wise perspective that ‘they are such interesting animals that all who observe them in the field should know something about their lives’. It includes original and very readable accounts of many aspects of adult behaviour and biology, again with abundant high quality colour photographs adorning the book. I particularly liked the use of labeled colour photographs (rather than more conventional line diagrams) to indicate morphological features. Dennis Paulson writes enthusiastically and lucidly, and this section of the book encapsulates much very practical advice from his own extensive experiences with Odonata. The values of collecting (including roles in conservation) are noted, together with clear directions for specimen treatment. The short section on conservation is a succinct summary of threatening processes, and the limitations of the range maps given for each species are noted. Encouragingly, it is also noted (in context, p. 371) that the only odonate (Somatochlora hineana) listed under the United States Endangered Species Act is now known to be ‘much more widespread than was known when it was listed’. The two major sections of the guide are systematic treatments of the damselflies (87 species) and dragonflies (249 species), each given a common name, some novel. The species accounts each have one or more photographs, a small range map, and the accompanying text written in a standard, easily comparable, format. That text includes sections on descriptive features and identification, detailing differences in appearance from related or similar-looking taxa, notes on natural history, the kinds of biotope frequented, flight season (with notes on differences across the range, where this is broad). In cases where examination of terminalia or other morphology is needed for clear identification (such as for the ‘bluets’, Enallagma) clear outline drawings of the features are gathered together for easy comparison, and given on clearly demarcated blue pages to render them easily found by ‘page-flicking’. That use is facilitated also by a very comprehensive index to scientific and common names, a glossary of technical terms, and a short array of useful references and resources available to discover more about Odonata. The book is compact, excellently produced and presented on high quality paper. It will have wide and enduring use, and be of immense value to students of Odonata in North America, and as an exemplar for emulation, and envy, elsewhere.