Dragonflies

Among the most ancient and powerful of insects, dragonflies fascinate scientists and nonspecialists—in part because they are large enough for the behavior of individual insects to be observed and interpreted. Indeed, so much useful information exists about dragonflies that they serve as valuable models for interpreting the behavior and ecology of other taxa. Philip S. Corbet has devoted a lifetime to their study. His book A Biology of Dragonflies has been a standard text for more than thirty-five years. This latest book establishes a new benchmark for the Odonata, providing a comprehensive, critical review of past and current knowledge—both published and unpublished—about species from all biogeographical regions in both functional and evolutionary contexts. The volume emphasizes the diversity found in dragonfly behavior as well as unifying patterns. It describes the behavioral strategies that influence the fitness of individuals in physical and biotic environments and in all stages of the life cycle, and identifies the biological principles reflected in those strategies. The book also examines behavior associated with processes such as habitat selection, foraging, seasonal regulation, migration, territoriality, mating, and sperm competition, emphasizing the interdependence of all developmental stages as well as relationships among dragonflies and other animals, including humans. Dragonflies represents a remarkably thorough and searching appraisal of a single taxon, featuring 252 drawings and black-and-white photographs, 96 color plates, nearly 100 appendix tables, and more than 4,000 bibliographic citations to original sources. The wealth of information and its integrated treatment will indisputably make the book the definitive source on dragonflies for years to come.

An outstanding monograph.... Information about tropical and temperate species in functional and evolutionary contexts is skilfully integrated and facts and ideas are reviewed in the context of current biological thinking., The book is a monumental work, a milestone in odonatology of course, but also with a far more general impact, as it marks the revival of the natural history style of books, a kind of biological oeuvre that was considered dead and buried in professional science... Dragonflies is a beautiful book, carefully produced with eye for detail and, considering its size, number of pages and of colour plates, relatively reasonably priced.... Before 1999, it was difficult to imagine the science of odonatology without Philip Corbet. Now, it is impossible., This will become the standard work on dragonfly behaviour and ecology, not only for experts but for those like the reveiwer, whose interest is not matched by profound knowledge of these remarkable insects, but to whom a copious source of information to which they can turn at need will be very welcome. This book is beautifully produced and the contents do justice to its appearance.

The late PHILIP S. CORBET was Emeritus Professor of Zoology at the University of Dundee and Honorary Professor at the University of Edinburgh.