Review: The Complete Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Australia (Second Edition)

Abstract

<p>A popular field guide among amateur and expert naturalists alike, the first edition of ‘The Complete Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Australia’ was reprinted three times without substantial revisions to dragonfly systematics and geographical distributions. Fourteen years later, Theischinger and Hawking are back with a revised second edition of their comprehensive field guide, and they do not disappoint.</p><p>The purpose and layout of the second edition is similar to the first. There are three distinct sections of the book: an introduction, a species guide, and information on identification and resources. The introduction provides an overview of the unique nature of Australian endemic odonates, including the life cycle, ecology, habitat and conservation of species. This brief section is helpful to the hobbyist but is a review for the entomologist.</p>