It’s that time of year again in the northern hemisphere – the time when the air begins to come alive with sudden unexpected bursts of dry, rasping, rapid wingbeats. The dragonflies are once again among us. Borne upon the air as if gravity was a purely fictional concept to them, these master hunters of the insect world are some of the most beloved – as well as, to those unfamiliar with them, some of the most misunderstood – of all the commonly known species.
With so many of these miniature dragons – and their related damsels – on the wing and before our eyes, questions about them are bound to arise. And to answer these, there are few who could be said to be more knowledgable about these creatures than Dennis Paulson. I have had the distinct pleasure of attending one of Dr. Paulson’s workshops on dragonflies and damselflies, and to this day still recall it as one of the most enlightening of all the natural history courses I’ve yet attended.
Which is why the fact that Princeton University Press has now released Dr. Paulson’s new Dragonflies and Damselflies; a Natural History should come as such welcome news. Extensively illustrated, this new feature-sized book offers all interested an accessible yet thorough overview of the 39 families of these remarkable insects – just the thing to help both the experienced enthusiast as well as the newcomer to increase their understanding of these remarkable insects.
