Chasing Dragonflies and Damselflies

Birding and butterflying have long been popular. With the advent of easy-to-use field guides and common, colorful name

A Dazzle of DragonfliesA new book highlights the beneficial and often elusive insects.  A male blue-eyed darner (Aeshna multicolor) Photo: Image from A Dazzle of Dragonflies, by Forrest L. Mitchell and James L. Lasswell (Texas A&M Press, 2005)

A Dazzle of DragonfliesA new book highlights the beneficial and often elusive insects.  This male dragonfly is known as Halloween pennant (Celithemis eponina). Its range extends throughout the eastern half of the United States and north into Canada.  Photo: Image from A Dazzle of Dragonflies, by Forrest L. Mitchell and James L. Lasswell (Texas A&M Press, 2005)

A Dazzle of DragonfliesA new book highlights the beneficial and often elusive insects. The female filigree skimmer (Pseudoleon superbus) has more intricate patterning on her wings than the male.  Photo: Image from A Dazzle of Dragonflies, by Forrest L. Mitchell and James L. Lasswell (Texas A&M Press, 2005)

A Dazzle of DragonfliesA new book highlights the beneficial and often elusive insects. This scan of a roseate skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) is labeled to show parts of its body. Photo: Image from A Dazzle of Dragonflies, by Forrest L. Mitchell and James L. Lasswell (Texas A&M Press, 2005)

A Dazzle of DragonfliesA new book highlights the beneficial and often elusive insects.  The wings of the female flame skimmer (Libellula saturate) have some orange in them, but it is not as extensive as that of the male. Photo: Image from A Dazzle of Dragonflies, by Forrest L. Mitchell and James L. Lasswell (Texas A&M Press, 2005)

A Dazzle of DragonfliesA new book highlights the beneficial and often elusive insects. The female desert whitetail (Libellula subornata) has two dark bands across each wing. Photo: Image from A Dazzle of Dragonflies, by Forrest L. Mitchell and James L. Lasswell (Texas A&M Press, 2005)

A Dazzle of DragonfliesA new book highlights the beneficial and often elusive insects. A male common green darner (Anax junius) is a species found throughout the United States and into southern Canada. Photo: Image from A Dazzle of Dragonflies, by Forrest L. Mitchell and James L. Lasswell (Texas A&M Press, 2005)

A Dazzle of DragonfliesA new book highlights the beneficial and often elusive insects. The arrowhead spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua) has brilliant blue eyes that contrast with the overall color of its body. This large dragonfly (8.4 centimeters or 3.3 inches) is named for the arrowhead-shaped yellow markings on its abdomen. Photo: Image from A Dazzle of Dragonflies, by Forrest L. Mitchell and James L. Lasswell (Texas A&M Press, 2005)

A Dazzle of DragonfliesA new book highlights the beneficial and often elusive insects. A female black saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) Photo: Image from A Dazzle of Dragonflies, by Forrest L. Mitchell and James L. Lasswell (Texas A&M Press, 2005)

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