"One of Britain's greatest living naturalists." - Chris Packham. 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.

A practical and fascinating guide to spotting some of Britain's most treasured wildlife--the butterfly. Each British species is covered, including the Skippers, the Swallowtails, the Whites and Yellows, the Hairstreaks, Coppers and Blues, the Fritillaries and Aristocrats, and the Browns. Expert advice on every aspect of identifying butterflies, from places to visit and capturing them on film, to attracting them into your garden. The fascination with butterflies has been a gloriously British pastime since the early 18th century, through the Victorian butterfly mania of the 1890s and two World Wars. This is a wonderful celebration of great British butterflies, whether you are tracking the elusive Green Hairstreak, Painted Lady, and Purple Emperor in the wild or identifying the more common Small Tortoiseshell, Orange Tip, and Chalkhill Blue from the comfort of your garden chair. This fascinating guide to the British butterfly will delight both beginners and enthusiasts alike, with practical tips on all aspects of attracting, tracking, and identifying butterflies and how to protect these beautiful creatures for future generations.

The ideal portable companion, the world-renowned Collins Gem series returns with a fresh new look and updated material. This is the perfect pocket guide for nature enthusiasts keen to identify the most commonly seen insects in Britain and northern Europe. Authoritative text and beautiful photographs show the distinguishing features of each insect to aid identification. Features information on size, habitat, geographical range and months when they can be spotted, as well as names of similar species with which each insect could be confused, and details of the differences between them. This new edition builds on the strengths of the unrivalled original, now expanded to include over 240 insects.

Match the upper sides and undersides of the wings of 25 species of butterfly from around the world in this beautifully illustrated matching game. With all kinds of stunning species - from the painted lady to the purple emperor - this fun and educational game is an ideal gift that will appeal to nature lovers everywhere. Includes a mini dossier on each species. Can also be used as a memory game when you get to know the butterflies. Collect more pairs than your opponent to win!

Butterflies of South Africa illustrates over 60 of the region's beautiful, common and conspicuous butterfly species. Informative (with distribution maps), high-quality and colourful, these make ideal gifts for nature lovers of all ages and excellent visual aids in a classroom, home, nature centre or library.

Along the San Marcos River, in and surrounding Palmetto State Park in south central Texas, lie two square miles of relict ecosystem named the Ottine Wetlands. This area of swamps, marshes, and ponds is especially notable for its geographic isolation from other wetlands in southeastern Texas and for its fascinating intermixture of eastern North American plants and animals and western flora and fauna. The scientific importance of the Ottine Wetlands in the surrounding, relatively dry region was first recognized as early as 1928, yet the swamps and marshes have not been thoroughly studied. This is the first examination of the invertebrates - insects, crustaceans, molluscs, and others - that depend directly or indirectly on the abundant moisture of the wetlands. With nearly 290 full-color illustrations, this book describes and illustrates 241 species of flies, beetles, grasshoppers, wasps, ants, bugs, spiders, scorpions, snails, crustaceans, and millipedes that inhabit the Ottine waters, wetlands, and woodlands. In a brief introduction, the authors describe the geological formation of the region and discuss the plant life of the area. They also provide a description of Palmetto State Park, with its easily accessed hiking and nature trails. Following the species descriptions, the book concludes with a glossary and a thorough bibliography of other relevant works on invertebrates. Scientifically thorough, yet readable, this book will appeal to nature lovers of all kinds.

Brightly coloured and pleasingly patterned, ladybirds are among some of our most beloved and familiar invertebrates. Their role in helping to protect our crops by devouring huge numbers of pests has firmly established these tiny, flying beetles as the gardeners' friend. Spotlight Ladybirds focuses on the 26 species that are resident in the UK, from the widespread but unusual Orange Ladybird to the rare - and aptly named - Scarce 7-spot Ladybird. Ladybird expert, Richard Comont considers the conservation challenges facing these iconic species, whose populations are now at risk thanks to the threat posed by one of their own, the invasive alien Harlequin Ladybird. And he covers all aspects of ladybirds' biology, from tiny larvae emerging from their oval eggs to large aggregations that converge at specific sites around the world. Richard also examines the natural history and cultural significance of this fascinating group of beetles, from Ladybird Books to Thor. The Spotlight series introduces readers to the lives of our favourite animals with eye-catching colour photos and informative expert text.

Britain's Butterflies is a comprehensive and beautifully designed photographic field guide to the butterflies of Britain and Ireland. Containing hundreds of stunning colour photographs, this revised and updated edition provides the latest information on every species ever recorded. It covers in detail the identification of all 59 butterfly species that breed regularly, as well as four former breeders, 10 rare migrants and one species of unknown status. The easy-to-use format will enable butterfly-watchers--beginners or experts--to identify any species they encounter. * Stunning colour plates show typical views of each butterfly species, including the various forms and aberrations* Detailed species profiles cover adult identification; behaviour; habitat requirements; population and conservation; egg, caterpillar and chrysalis; and status and distribution, including up-to-date maps* Photographs of egg, caterpillar and chrysalis for every breeding species* Sections on biology, where to look for and how to identify butterflies and other essential information

This photographic field guide covers every species of ant found in Britain and Europe. More than 400 species of ant can be found in Europe, and Ants of Britain and Europe covers them all,with detailed descriptions for more than 150 of the more commonly encountered. The species accounts include information on field characteristics, confusion species, habitat and biology, and appear along with accurate distribution maps. Ants of Britain and Europe also features a comprehensive introduction to ant ecology and guidance on where to look for ants and how to study them in the field, a glossary, an overview of families, and a detailed, illustrated identification key. Nearly 600 superb photos are included, showing species close-up to highlight identification features and in their natural habitats. This is the first such guide to these insects, bringing these crucial yet often overlooked insects into the spotlight.

Claire Preston's Bee tells the busy story of our long, complex relationship with this industrious, much-admired insect. Moving from ancient political descriptions to Renaissance debates about monarchy, to the conversion of the virtuous and civil bee into the dangerous swarm of the Hollywood horror flick, and finally to the melancholy recognition that the modern decline of the bee is due to our use of harmful pesticides and destruction of the bee's habitat, this timely new edition could not arrive at a moment of greater buzz. Lively, engaging, and containing many fascinating bee facts, anecdotes, fables, and images, Bee is a sweeping, highly illustrated natural and cultural history of this familiar visitor to our gardens and parks. From beekeepers to anyone with an interest in bees' intricate, miniature societies, to all of us who enjoy honey on our toast, the appeal of Preston's exploration of how bees have woven themselves into the fabric of our culture is as expansive as the range and importance of these tiny workaholics themselves.

Increasingly the segmentation between birders, butterfly watchers, dragonfly watchers and photographers is reducing as interests overlap and there is a demand for books that cover the three popular groups. The emphasis for the 148 species of butterfly and 78 dragonflies featured in this second edition is on the commoner species, covering around 90 per cent of those that a visitor is likely to see. It is also an excellent book for residents to learn about the commoner butterflies and dragonflies before progressing to more advanced technical books. The guide is focussed on field use to help beginners and experts identify species and provides information on their distribution and habitats. As identification of butterflies and dragonflies require a different approach, the two sections are done as two mini photographic field guides with common introductory sections to wildlife watching in Sri Lanka. The book includes information on the key wildlife sites, general introductions to the biology of dragonflies and butterflies, up-to-date checklists with local status and useful references for people who wish to progress further with their study of these charismatic and photogenic animals.

An extraordinary look at the wild butterflies of North America, with hundreds of compelling original photographs See what it's like to stare a butterfly in the eyes. Lavishly illustrated and scientifically rigorous, this dazzling volume provides a comprehensive visual guide to the butterflies of North America. David Lee Myers's stunning photography captures these amazing insects in their natural habitats, offering a firsthand look at how butterflies appear in the wild. Featuring more than a hundred species of butterflies, the book highlights the importance of studying these insects as indicator species and discusses not only the taxonomy and biology of butterflies but also the importance of conserving butterfly habitats. A valuable resource for both professional lepidopterists and amateur naturalists, this engaging window into the world of North American butterflies teaches us what we can learn about these beautiful and inspiring creatures, and the incredible things that we can learn from them.

Even the smallest garden can be an important haven for wildlife, and this authoritative guide enables everyone to explore this wealth on their back doorstep. It covers all the main animal groups - including pond life - likely to be found in a garden in Great Britain and Ireland. Detailed descriptions and information on life history, behaviour and occurrence are provided for more than 500 species, as well as practical information on creating a pond for wildlife, making nestboxes and feeding birds. Richard Lewington, acknowledged as one of the finest natural history artists in Europe, has teamed up with his brother Ian, one of our most respected bird artists, to provide nearly 1,000 superbly detailed colour artworks to complement the text. Presented in an accessible, easy-to-use format, this fully updated and expanded edition covers everything from blue tits to bumblebees and hedgehogs to hawkmoths.

Pyle's classic account of discovery along the migration trail of monarch butterflies is part natural history, part road trip adventure Although no one had ever followed North American monarch butterflies on their annual southward journey to Mexico and California, in the 1990s there were well-accepted assumptions about the nature and form of the migration. But to Robert Michael Pyle, a naturalist with long experience in monarch conservation, the received wisdom about the butterflies' long journey just didn't make sense. In the autumn of 1996 he set out to uncover the facts, to pursue the tide of "cinnamon sailors" on their long, mysterious flight. Chasing Monarchs chronicles Pyle's 9,000-mile journey to discover firsthand the secrets of the monarchs' annual migration. Part road trip, part outdoor adventure, and part natural history study, Pyle's book overturns old theories and provides insights both large and small regarding monarch butterflies, their biology, and their spectacular migratory travels. Since the book's first publication, its controversial conclusions have been fully confirmed, and monarchs are better understood than ever before. The Afterword for this volume includes not only updated information on the myriad threats to monarch butterflies, but also various efforts under way to ensure the future of the world's most amazing butterfly migration.

"An illustrated guide to observing, catching and releasing dragonflies."

Dragonflies are as fascinating as they are beautiful. In this book readers will learn how to observe them in the wild and have them hover as close as their nose Dragonflies and their close relatives, damselflies, have been around longer than dinosaurs and can be found on all continents except Antarctica. One dragonfly species makes the longest migration of any insect in the world. Dragonflies can be found in wetlands, forests, fields and even backyards. This illustrated guide to dragonflies and damselflies is packed with all the facts about what they are, what they eat, and what eats them. Their life cycle is explored, beginning from eggs that hatch into wingless nymphs that live underwater and breathe through gills.

With the help of this detailed guide featuring close-up photographs, readers will learn tips and tricks for how to properly catch, hold and let a dragonfly go. An identification section allows the reader to quickly and easily identify the most popular species and illustrates how each is unique, from darners to clubtails, spiketails to cruisers, and emeralds to skimmers.

Fredrik Sjoeberg's Swedish bestseller about summer, islands, freedom and boundaries. 'The light, the warmth, the smells, the mist, the birdsong - the moths. Who can sleep? Who wants to?' Fredrik Sjoeberg finds happiness in the little things. Millions of them, in fact. This beguiling bestseller is his unique meditation on collecting hoverflies. It is also about living on a remote Swedish island, blissful long summer nights, lost loves, unexpected treasures, art, nature, slowness, and how freedom can come from the things we least expect. 'Full of charm, a book about how to find meaning in life' Melissa Harrison, The Times, Books of the Year 'I often return to The Fly Trap, it remains close to my heart. The minute observations from nature that reveal sudden insights into one's life. Sometimes I almost think that he wrote it for me' Tomas Transtroemer, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature 'Charming, witty and original' Patrick Barkham, Guardian 'Nature writing that can laugh at itself, a real tonic' Gregory Day, Sydney Morning Herald 'Delightful, at once informative and often humorously digressive . . . a humane man of wide-ranging curiosity, Sjoeberg writes with infectious passion' Paul Binding Independent Fredrik Sjoeberg collects hoverflies on the island Runmaroe, in the archipelago east of Stockholm. He is also a literary critic, translator, cultural columnist and the author of several books including The Art of Flight and The Raisin King, which form a trilogy with The Fly Trap.

When renowned British geneticist J. B. S. Haldane was asked what could be inferred about God from a study of his works, Haldane replied, "An inordinate fondness for beetles." With 350,000 known species, and scientific estimates that millions more have yet to be identified, their abundance is indisputable as is their variety. They range from the delightful summer firefly to the one-hundred-gram Goliath beetle. Beetles offer a dazzling array of shapes, sizes, and colors that entice scientists and collectors across the globe.
"The Book of Beetles" celebrates the beauty and diversity of this marvelous insect. Six hundred significant beetle species are covered, with each entry featuring a distribution map, basic biology, conservation status, and information on cultural and economic significance. Full-color photos show the beetles both at their actual size and enlarged to show details, such as the sextet of spots that distinguish the six-spotted tiger beetle or the jagged ridges of the giant-jawed sawyer beetle. Based in the most up-to-date science and accessibly written, the descriptive text will appeal to researchers and armchair coleopterists alike.
The humble beetle continues to grow in popularity, taking center stage in biodiversity studies, sustainable agriculture programs, and even the dining rooms of adventurous and eco-conscious chefs. "The Book of Beetles" is certain to become the authoritative reference on these remarkably adaptable and beautiful creatures.