Book description
Dragonflies are among the most ancient of living creatures - few insect
groups fascinate as much or are more immediately recognisable.
In this seminal new work, Philip Corbet and Stephen Brooks examine the
behaviour, ecology and distribution of dragonflies in Britain and
Ireland, placing emphasis on the insects' habitats and also on measures
needed to conserve them.
Published in 1960 - with Philip Corbet as contributing author - volume
41 of the New Naturalist series provided the first in-depth study of the
biology of British dragonflies, helping to inspire many people to take
an interest in these intriguing insects. In this new volume, Corbet has
teamed up with Stephen Brooks, offering a fascinating outlook on the
natural history of dragonflies. The authors have combined their
knowledge and experience to help illuminate the relevance of British
dragonfly species, placing them in the overall context of natural
history from a broader, worldwide perspective.
Illustrated with beautiful photography throughout, New Naturalist
Dragonflies explores all aspects of the biological significance of
dragonfly behaviour, thus revealing the beauty and hidden complexity of
these powerful, agile, flying predators. 'A valuable and engaging
update of the classic New Naturalist volume on the Odonata.'
BBC Wildlife
Praise for the New Naturalist series:
A History of Ornithology by Peter Bircham:
'Bircham has found for himself a distinctive ecological niche by
dwelling on the evolving science, rather than ornithology as social
process or field activity … he has produced a thorough and valuable
contribution to the field'
Mark Cocker, The Guardian
The Isles of Scilly by Rosemary Parslow:
'This is a fully rounded and wonderfully detailed natural history of
England's only ocean archipelago. It works on several levels, as a
guide, as a wildlife encyclopaedia and as a lyrical celebration of a
special place. Rosemary Parslow has written a classic book to add to the
remarkable swell of New Naturalist masterpieces in recent years.'
British Wildlife Philip Corbet (1929-2008) acquired a fascination and
deep affection for dragonflies as an undergraduate exploring the
Berkshire countryside. His professional experience as an entomologist,
research administrator and university teacher, in Uganda, Canada, New
Zealand and Scotland, allowed him to observe dragonflies in widely
different environments.
Stephen Brooks has worked in the Department of Entomology at The Natural
History Museum, London, since 1979. He is author of the Field Guide to
the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland and has
written many scientific articles on dragonflies. He is a member of the
British Dragonfly Society and has been editor of the BDS Journal and a
member of the BDS Conservation Group.
