Here's a list of odonate books, magazines and other media. Adrian Parr kindly sent me a book list he compiled for Atropos 20: 48-53 (2003). Thanks for that!
Mail me if you know of any titles that should be in this list but aren't.
European literature
- d'Aguilar, J. & J-L. Dommanget, 1998 (2nd print). Guide des libellules d'Europe et d'Afrique du Nord. ISBN: 2-603-00566-9. Delachaux et Niestlé, Paris.
Language: French.
- d'Aguilar, J., J-L. Dommanget & R. Prechac, 1986. A Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain, Europe and North Africa. ISBN: 0-00-219436-8. Collins, London. English translation of the first edition of the previous title.
Language: French.
Out of print.
- Askew, R.R., 1988. The Dragonflies of Europe. ISBN: 0-946589-10-0. Harley Books, Essex. Covers all the European species. Features illustrations of both larvae and adults, text, distribution maps and keys for identification.
Language: English
Out of print, but a softback edition is prepared for publication.
- Bellmann, H., 1993. Libellen: Beobachten - bestimmen. ISBN: 3-89440-107-9. Naturbuch Verlag, Augsburg. Beautiful photographs of the species of Germany and a large part of France.
Language: German
- Bos, F. & M. Wasscher, 1998. Veldgids Libellen. KNNV Uitgeverij, Utrecht. Contains photographs of all Western-, Central- and Northern European Odonata and a list with descriptions of all other Odonata to be found in Southern Europe.
Language: Dutch.
- Brooks, S. J., 2002. Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland. ISBN: 0953139905. Rev. ed. Rotherwick, Hook, Hampshire: British Wildlife. Illustrated by Richard Lewington.
Language: Dutch.
- Diehl, R., 1981. Bestimmungsschlüssel für die Libellen der BRD. Published by DJN in Hamburg.
Language: German
- Dreyer, W., 1986. Die Libellen. ISBN: 3-8067-2041-X. Gerstenberg Verlag, Hildesheim
Language: German
- EIS Nederland: Verspreidingsgegevens van de Nederlandse libellen (1995), contains distribution maps of all Dutch odonate species. This is only a preliminary atlas, which will be followed by a definitive atlas of the Dutch odonates (hopefully in 2000).
Language: Dutch.
Out of print.
- Geijskes, D.C. & J. van Tol, 1983. De Libellen van Nederland (Odonata). KNNV Uitgeverij, Utrecht
Language: Dutch
Out of print.
- Gerken, B. & K. Sternberg, 1999. Die Exuvien Europaischer Libellen. Huxaria Druckerei GmbH, Höxter. ISBN: 3-9805700-4-5. The best current book on identification of European dragonfly exuviae.
Language: German and English.
- Gibbons, R.B., 1994. Dragonflies and Damselflies of Britain and Northern Europe. ISBN: 0-600-333-787. The Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd, Twickenham. Contains photos of most Northern European species, as well as a simple key to the families.
Language: English
- Gorb, S.N., R.S. Pavljuk & Z.D Spuris, 2000. Odonata of Ukraine: a faunistic overview. Vestnik zoologii Supplement N 15. ISSN: 0084-5604. Summarises published and unpublished observations of Odonata from the region; includes tables and numerous illustrations of morphological details relevant to species identification.
Language: Ukrainian.
- Hammond, C.O., 1983. The Dragonflies of Great-Britain and Ireland. Harley Books, London
Language: English
- Jurzitza, G., 1978. Unsere Libellen: Die Libellen Mitteleuropas in 120 Farbfotos. ISBN: 3440045536. Kosmos Naturführer, Stuttgart.
Language: German.
Out of print?
- Jurzitza, G., 1988. Welche Libelle ist das? Die Arten Mittel- und Südeuropas. ISBN: 3440058468. Kosmos Naturführer, Stuttgart. Deals with the species found in Germany.
Language: German. There is also a Dutch translation.
Out of print.
- Jurzitza, G., 2000. Der Kosmos-Libellenführer. ISBN: 3-440-08402-7. Franckh-Kosmos, Stuttgart.
Language: German.
- Kotarac, M., 1997. Atlas of the Dragonflies (Odonata) of Slovenia with the Red Data List: a project of the Slovene Dragonfly Society (Atlas faunae et florae Sloveniae 1). Center za kartografijo favne in flore, Miklavz na Dravskem polju.
Language: bilingual, Slovene and English
- Kuhn, K. & K. Burbach, 1998. Libellen in Bayern. ISBN: 3800134950. Ulmer, Stuttgart. Contains distribution maps and abundant information for the 74 species found in this part of Germany.
Language: German
- McGeeney, A., 1986. A complete guide to the British Dragonflies. Jonathan Cape, London. Contains keys to both adults and larvae.
Language: English
- Merritt, R., N.W. Moore & B.C. Eversham, 1996. Atlas of the Dragonflies of Britain and Ireland. HMSO. Photographs, notes and distribution maps.
Language: English
- Michiels, N. & M. Van Mierlo, 1991. Libellentabel voor België. This key is complete and good enough for Belgium but also usable in other Westeuropean countries for it also describes species that don't live in Belgium.
Language: Dutch
Order this key at JNM Belgium.
- Miller, P.L., 1987. Dragonflies. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Language: English
- Nederlandse Vereniging voor Libellenstudie, 2002. De Libellen van Nederland. Nederlandse Fauna Deel 4. ISBN: 90-5011-154-8. KNNV Uitgeverij Utrecht. Very detailed waterpaint drawings, descriptions, ecological information, flight periods and detailed distribution maps of all 70 dragonfly and damselfly species found in the Netherlands.
Language: Dutch
- Peters, G., 1987. Die Edellibellen Europas. ISBN: 3740300507. Die Neue Brehm-Bücherei
Language: German
- Powell, D. & C. Twist, 1999. A Guide to the Dragonflies of Great Britain. ISBN: 1900159015. Chelmsford, England: Arlequin. Contains colour illustrations and distribution maps.
Language: English
- Reinboud, W., T. de Groot & M. Wasscher, 1999. ODON-tabel. ISBN: 90-5107-033-0 (4th print). This key should allow you to identify each Dragonfly in the BeNeLux (Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxemburg) without catching. For sale at the JBU in Utrecht, Holland.
Language: Dutch
- Sandhall, Å., 1987. Trollsländor i Europa. ISBN: 91-86448-18-8. Stenström Interpublishing, Stockholm
Language: Swedish
- Schorr, M., 1990. Grundlagen zu einem Artenhilfsprogram Libellen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Ursus scientific publishers, Bilthoven, Netherlands
Language: German
- Sternberg, K. & R. Buchwald, 1999. Libellen Baden-Württembergs, Band 1 (Zygoptera). ISBN: 3800135086. Ulmer (Eugen)
Language: German
- Sternberg, K. & R. Buchwald, 2000. Libellen Baden-Württembergs, Band 2 (Anisoptera). ISBN: 3800135140. Ulmer (Eugen)
Language: German
- Visser, H., 1997 Libellenlarven in Nederland (CD-ROM). ISBN: 3540146393. ETI, University of Amsterdam (info: info@eti.uva.nl). This CD-ROM contains a key to larvae of all dragonfly species ever found in the Netherlands. Contains 1250 drawings and photos.
Language: Dutch
- Wendler, A., & J.H. Nuss, 1992. Libellen. ISBN: 3-923376-15-4. Key to the species of Western and Central Europe. Deutscher Jugentbund für Naturboebachtung, Hamburg
Language: German
- Wendler, A., & J.H. Nuss, 2002. Libellen van Noord-west Europa. ISBN: 90-5107-031-4. Key to the species of Western and Central Europe. Dutch translation of the previous title, by JBU (www.jeugdbondsuitgeverij.nl), Utrecht, Holland.
Language: Dutch
Middle East
- Dumont, H.J., 1991. Fauna Palaestina: Insecta V - Odonata of the Levant. ISBN: 965-208-097-7. Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Jerusalem. Covers 82 species from Israel, Jordan and Egypt
Language: English
- Waterson, A.R. & A.R. Pittaway, 1989. The Odonata or Dragonflies of Oman and Neighbouring Territories. Includes illustrations and maps.
Language: English
Africa
- Dumont, H.J., 1991. Odonata of the Levant covers Egypt. See Middle East for full title and details.
- Fraser, F.C., 1956. Faune de Madagascar: Fasc. 1 - Insectes; Odonates; Anisopteres. Paris Musée National d'Histoire Naturelle.
Language: French?
- Jacquemin, G. & J.-P. Boudot, 1999. Les Libellules (Odonates) du Maroc. ISBN: 2-9507291-3-4. Société Française d'Odonatologie, Bois d'Arcy. Colour plates and illustrated keys allow identification of all species known from Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.
Language: French (with English summaries)
- Miller, P. & K. Miller, 2003. East African Dragonflies: a guide for residents, students and visitors. ISBN: 9966-9921-3-8. Nature Kenya, Nairobi. With keys to families and genera, a checklist of the 322 species in the area and numerous research project suggestions.
Language: English
- Samways, M.J. & G. Whiteley, 1997. Dragonflies of the Natal Drakensberg. ISBN: 0-869809-21-0. University of Natal Press, Scottsville. Keys to adults and larvae of the more common species of the area.
Language: English
- Tarboton, W. & M. Tarboton, 2003. A Field Guide to the Dragonflies of South Africa. ISBN: 0-620-29887-1. Private publication, but readily available. The first true field guide to the region, though unfortunately it covers only the Anisoptera (dragonflies); a further volume on the Zygoptera (damselflies) is planned.
Language: English
The Americas
- Cannings, R.A., 2002. Introducing the Dragonflies of British Columbia and the Yukon. ISBN: 0-7726-4637-6. Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria. Describes the 88 species of the region, with additional information on such things as habitat preferences, flight period and distribution. Line drawings and colour photos.
Language: English
- Catling, P.M. & V.R. Brownell, 2000. Damselflies and Dragonflies (Odonata) of Ontario: resource guide and annotated list. ISBN: 0-9682013-1-8. ProResources, Metcalfe, Ontario. Species accounts, dot distribution maps, and identification keys.
Language: English
- Curry, J., 2001. Dragonflies of Indiana. ISBN: 1-883362-11-3. Indiana Academy of Science, Indianapolis. Deals with all the 97 species of dragonfly (Anisoptera) known from Indiana; damselflies are not included. Keys, photographs, descriptions, distribution maps and flight period graphs of each species; larvae keyed to family.
Language: English
- Dunkle, S.W., 1989. Dragonflies of the Florida Peninsula, Bermuda and the Bahamas. ISBN: 0-945417-23-3. Scientific Publishers, Gainesville. Extensively illustrated by colour photos.
Language: English
Out of print.
- Dunkle, S.W., 1990. Damselflies of the Florida Peninsula, Bermuda and the Bahamas. ISBN: 0-945417-85-3. Scientific Publishers, Gainesville. Companion to the above volume.
Language: English
Out of print.
- Dunkle, S.W., 2000. Dragonflies through Binoculars—a Field Guide to Dragonflies of North America. ISBN: 0-19-511268-7. Oxford University Press. The first true field guide to the Odonata of North American Covers over 300 species of dragonfly (Anisoptera) with photos. The text includes description of species, behaviour, habitat choice, flight period and distribution maps.
Language: English
- Foerster, S., 2001. The Dragonflies of Central America exclusive of Mexico and the West Indies, 2nd edition. Private publication (Kastanienallee 40a, 38104 Braunschweig, Germany). A compilation of keys and notes from existing publications with additional notes and figures by the author. Covers 378 species; there is a companion website with photos relating to the book.
Language: English
- Holder, M., 1996. The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Algonquin Provincial Park. Algonquin Park Technical Bulletin No. 11. ISBN: 1-895709-26-1. The Friends of Algonquin Park. Contains colour drawings and descriptions of the most common species in the (Canadian) park. Neat, cheap booklet.
Language: English
- Legler, K., D. Legler & D. Westover, 1998. A Color Guide to Common Dragonflies of Wisconsin. Private publication (429 Franklin Street, Sauk City, WI 53583.) Deals with 76 of the 110 species of dragonfly (Anisoptera) recorded from the State. Brief field guide-style text and distribution maps.
Language: English
- Maniolis, T., 2003. Dragonflies and Damselflies of California. ISBN: 0-5202356-7-3. University of California Press. An extensively illustrated guide to identification in the field and in the hand.
Language: English
- Michalski, J., 1988. A Catalogue and Guide to the Dragonflies of Trinidad (Order Odonata). University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad.
Language: English
Out of print.
- Needham, J.G., M.J. Westfall Jr. & M.L. May, 2000. Dragonflies of North America (revised edition). ISBN: 0-945417-94-2. Scientific Publishers, Gainesville. Handbook on the adults and larvae of all the North American dragonflies (Anisoptera).
Language: English
- Nikula, B., J. Sones, D. Stokes & L. Stokes. 2002. Beginner's Guide to Dragonflies. ISBN: 0-316-81679-5. Little, Brown & Co., Boston. Covers about 100 species of both dragonflies and damselflies of North America.
Language: English
- Paulson, D., 1999. Dragonflies of Washington. ISBN: 0-9145161-5-9. Seattle Audubon Society, Washington. Covers all of the 20 damselflies and 56 dragonflies recorded in Washington State, with many colour photos.
Language: English
- Pilon J-G., & D. Lagace, 1998. Les Odonates du Quebec. ISBN: 2-9802763-2-4. Entomofaune du Quebec (EQ) Inc., Chicoutimi, Quebec. Includes species descriptions, keys for identification and distribution maps for the 138 species and subspecies found in the area.
Language: French
- Polhemus, D. & A. Asquith, 1996. Hawaiian Damselflies — A Field Identification Guide. ISBN: 0-930897-91-9. Bishop Museum Press, USA. Includes all the 26 species and subspecies found in the Hawaiian Islands.
Language: English
- Rosche, L., 2002. Dragonflies and Damselflies of Northeast Ohio. ISBN: 0-9717460-0-1. Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland. Field guide with descriptions, flight period graphs and water colour illustrations of all 124 species.
Language: English
- Walker, E.M. & P.S. Corbet. 1953–1975. Odonata of Canada and Alaska, Volumes 1-3. University of Toronto Press. Has recently been reprinted by the Toronto Entomologists Association.
Language: English
- Westfall Jr., M.J. & M.L. May, 1996. Damselflies of North America. ISBN: 0-945417-93-4. Scientific Publishers, Gainesville. Handbook on the adults and larvae of all the North American damselflies (Zygoptera).
Language: English
Australia and New Zealand
- Rowe, R.J., 1987. The Dragonflies of New Zealand. ISBN: 1-86940-003-1. Auckland University Press. Covers all 17 species with illustrations, keys and distribution maps. Also provides a very detailed biological background to the New Zealand Odonata.
Language: English
Out of print, although there are plans to make a scanned (.pdf) version available.
- Theischinger, G. & J.H. Hawking, 2003. Dragonflies of Victoria: an Identification Guide to Adult and Larval Dragonflies (Odonata). ISBN: 1-876144-49-1. Freshwater Research Centre, Albury, NSW. Keys, figures and colour photos.
Language: English
- Watson, J.A.L., G. Theischinger & H.M. Abbey, 1991. The Australian Dragonflies - A Guide to the Identification, Distribution and Habitats of Australian Odonata. ISBN: 0-643-05136-8. CSIRO, Canberra. Provides keys to the adults of all Australian species. Contains colour plates of representatives of the families.
Language: English
Out of print.
Asia
- de Fonseka, T., 2000. The Dragonflies of Sri Lanka. ISBN: 955-9114-19-0. WHT Publications Ltd., Colombo. Contains keys to both adults and larvae, as well as photos of the commoner species.
Language: English.
- Fraser, F.C., 1933-36. The Fauna of British India including Ceylon and Burma: Odonata, Volumes I-III. Taylor & Frances Ltd, London. Hard to get and dated, but there's no good alternative.
Language: English.
Out of print.
- Hamalainen, M. & A. Pinratana, 1999. Atlas of the Dragonflies of Thailand. ISBN: 974-87004-5-3. Brothers of St. Gabriel in Thailand, Bangkok. Checklist, faunistic details and distribution maps.
Language: English.
- Hirose, Y., 1993. A Guide to the Dragonflies of Hokkaido (translated title).
Language: ?
- Ishida, S., K. Ishida, K. Kojima & M. Sugimura, 1988. Illustrated Guide for Identification of the Japanese Odonata. Tokai University Press, Japan. Basically the Japanese version of the title above.
Language: Japanese
- Lee, S.-M., 2001. The Dragonflies of Korean Peninsula (Odonata). ISBN: 89-88154-17-7-94490. Junghaeng-Sa, Seoul. Provides photos of all Korean species.
Language: Both Korean and English.
- Orr, A.G., 2003. A Guide to the Dragonflies of Borneo: their Identification and Biology. ISBN: 983-812-069-3. Natural History Publications (Borneo). Illustrated keys to families, some photos and drawings.
Language: English.
- Sugimura, M., S. Ishida, K. Kojima, K. Ishida & T. Aoki, 2001. Dragonflies of the Japanese Archipelago in Colour. ISBN: 4-8329.0292-X. Hokkaido University Press, Sapporo. Over 3,600 colour photographs of adults and larvae of all Japanese species.
Language: English
- Wang, H.Y. & J.B. Heppner, 1997. Guidebook to Dragonflies of Taiwan. ISBN: 957-97470-1-6. Deals only with the more common species.
Language: Both Chinese and English.
- Wang, L.-J., 2000. Dragonflies of Taiwan. ISBN: 957-30885-1-7. Jemjem Calendar, Taipei. Colour photos of most Taiwanese species.
Language: Both Chinese and English.
- Wilson, K.D.P., 1995. Hong Kong Dragonflies. ISBN: (???) Urban Council of Hong Kong. Contains lots and lots of great pictures that will make you drool if you're an odophile. Also contains a key to the species. Large book, therefore not very easy to take into the field.
Language: English
- Wilson, K.D.P., 2002. Hong Kong Flying Colour, 3: Dragonflies. ISBN: 962-86149-0-8. Friends of the Country Parks, Hong Kong. Photos of almost all of Hong Kong's 107 species of Odonata.
Language: English
General
- Corbet, P.S., 1962. A biology of Dragonflies. ISBN: 0-08096-019-6 Witherby Ltd, London
Language: English
Out of print.
- Corbet, P.S., 1999. Dragonflies: Ecology and Behavior of Odonata. ISBN: 0-946589-64-X. Harley Books, Colchester, England. This book is a very complete compilation of over 4000 articles about behaviour, ecology and everything else we know about dragonflies and damselflies. The book is expensive but it's a must-have for anybody who wants to know more about a dragonfly's life.
Language: English
Note: there's both an European and an American version of this book. The European one has a dust-cover and a green hard cover, the American version lacks the dust-cover and is grey. There's no more differences!
- Silsby, J., 2001. Dragonflies of the World. Natural History Museum. The perfect coffee table book about dragonflies. Great pictures of representatives of all families of the world's odes.
Language: English
Note: there's a CD-ROM of Dragonflies of the World too, by the same author. I haven't seen the CD-ROM yet and don't know what the content is.
E-mail based mailing lists and workgroups
General:
- The worldwide dragonfly e-mailing list, set up by Dennis Paulson. A wide variety of topics are discussed and anyone can share their information and experiences. Also the place to ask those dragonfly related questions which have been bothering you for years now.
- Some Sam started the Dragonfly Club.
- Dragonfly Watch, a workgroup for the amateur dragonfly watcher. Set up by Gregg Pasterick.
Specifically for the Americas:
© 2005 by Antoine van der Heijden