Dragonflies : 41

Dragonflies are among the most ancient of living creatures—few insect groups fascinate as much or are more immediately recognisable. They are an ideal group of insects for the naturalist to study: beautiful and fascinating, they can be observed in the field much as a bird-watcher observes birds. Their observation can be exceptionally interesting and amply rewarding.

The dragonfly's life is dramatically divided by sudden stages. Its immature stage is quite unlike the adult, even living in a different medium—dragonfly larvae are nearly all aquatic while the adults are all terrestrial. The adult stage often lasts less than one-twentieth of the dragonfly's whole life. We are fortunate in having in Britain forty-three species, representatives of eight of the eleven largest and most widespread families of dragonflies, and these provide the subject of an intensive study by three distinguished naturalists.

Philip S. Corbet first became interested in dragonflies as a schoolboy 'because they were such good sport to catch' and subsequently obtained his Ph.D. for a thesis on the seasonal ecology of dragonflies. Cynthia Longfield was for many years on the staff of the British Museum (Natural History) and is the well-known author of The Dragonflies of the British Isles. N. W. Moore also obtained his Ph.D. for a thesis on the ecology and behaviour of adult dragonflies. Together, these naturalists have produced a comprehensive and definitive account of British dragonflies—a book for every kind of student of insects, from the amateur collector and insect watcher to the professional.