J. Reese Voshell, Jr.’s A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America isn’t exactly a new book. Originally published in 2002 and ever since being one of the most popular books available from its publisher, McDonald & Woodward, it is one of those books that anyone who knowns anything about the subject, knows that they need to have a copy on their respective bookshelves. However what is new – to yours truly, at least – is all the supporting supplemental material available to help the book’s readers easily and quickly access its highlights in the field, as well as learn the species included in it easily and effectively.
First, there is the QuickGuide to Major Groups of Freshwater Invertebrates, a very handy laminated, folding field reference to the “more common and widespread groups of freshwater invertebrates of North America to the taxonomic levels of Class and Order.” Featuring black and white line drawings by Amy Bartlett Wright – who also illustrated the book itself – depicting the general appearance of its subjects, the QuickGuide also includes important identifying physical details of each, and is an essential field bag reference for all those times where toting the book itself into the field is impractical or – due to wet and muddy conditions – simply unwise.
Then there are the sets of flash cards – three sets in all – designed to help aspiring naturalists both young, old, and in-between learn the common North American freshwater invertebrates they’ll likely discover in the field. Each card features an image of the subject drawn by Amy Bartlett Wright, positioned adjacent to a size bar, one one face, and the taxonomic position as well as a few relevant notes about its life history and ecology on the reverse. And as a particularly well-thought little detail, each set is perforated at the upper right hand corner to be held together by a metal ring (also included) for ease of use as a flip-deck and to ensure they stay together when not in use.
Set One covers the major Classes and Orders. Set Two delves into the Family level, covering Mollusks, Stoneflies, Mayflies, and Caddisflies. Set Three continues at the Family level, covering the remaining other insects likely to be encountered. All three sets in and of themselves offer any and all interested a easily-accessible and – quite frankly – enjoyable introduction to the most common representatives of North America’s freshwater invertebrates – and when combined with the book itself and the QuickGuide, offer a veritable open door into a much greater and nuanced understanding of the world they inhabit.
Truly, this is indeed a collection of resources no naturalist should willingly be without.
Purchasing any of the above items directly from McDonald & Woodward is a great way to support this small but very important publisher of works of natural history. All the above links lead directly to the product pages on their website, through which all these products are sold.
However, if you plan to buy any of these items from Amazon.com, please consider doing so through the links below in order that the pittance earned from the transaction can go toward the payment of the domain registration and hosting expenses for The Well-read Naturalist.
Book: A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America
QuickGuide: (I will not list the link here as the price being asked by Amazon’s third party seller is absurdly inflated.)
Flash Cards:
Flash Cards of Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America Set One – Major Classes and Orders
