DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES OF THE EAST

By Dennis Paulson
Princeton University Press, 576 pages

Dennis Paulson’s Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East is a great all-in-one guide to the 336 species in the eastern United States and Canada. The book contains helpful illustrations of the anatomical parts necessary for identification, in addition to large color photographs of each species. Also included is a glossary and index for quick navigation. Especially useful is the natural history section, which notes each species’ unique behavior for better identification.

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES OF THE WEST

By Dennis Paulson
Princeton University Press, 536 pages

The companion to the eastern edition, Dennis Paulson’s guide features all 348 species of dragonfly and damselfly west of the Mississippi River. The book contains large color photographs of both males and females for each species, in addition to the standard species description, identification tips, habitat, and range. Like the eastern version, it has a section on odes natural history, with detailed notes on the unique behavior of each species.

DRAGONFLIES OF TEXAS: A FIELD GUIDE

By John Abbott
Texas Natural History Guides

Just published in 2015, Dragonflies of Texas is the definitive field guide to these insects in Texas. It covers all 160 species with a two-page spread for each that includes photographs of both sexes and known variations when possible, key features, a distribution map, identification, discussion of similar species, status in Texas, habitat, seasonality, and general comments. In addition to the species accounts, John Abbott discusses dragonfly anatomy, life history, conservation, names, and photography. He also provides information on species that may eventually be discovered in Texas, state and global conservation rankings, seasonality of all species in chronological order, and additional resources and publications on the identification of dragonflies

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES OF TEXAS AND THE SOUTH-CENTRAL UNITED STATES

By John C. Abbott
Princeton University Press, 360 pages

Dragonfly lovers of the south-central United States now have a guide all their own. This comprehensive tome includes the 263 species of dragonflies and damselflies that inhabit Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Covering more than half of North America’s species, it’s also useful outside of the south-central states. Entomologist John Abbott’s weighty guide is for serious enthusiasts, and includes a checklist, large bibliography, and helpful range maps.

DRAGONFLIES THROUGH BINOCULARS: A Field Guide to Dragonflies of North America

By Sidney W. Dunkle
Oxford University Press, 266 pages

Getting up close to identify flighty dragonflies can be difficult, so binoculars are an indispensible tool to help pinpoint a species from afar. In addition to the standard identification information, Dragonflies through Binoculars offers advice on different types of optics, and how to best use them to identify dragonflies. Dunkle, a biologist at Collin County Community College in Texas, also includes tips on where to find dragonflies. The guide’s index doubles as a built-in checklist for enthusiasts to keep track of species they have spotted.

STOKES BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO DRAGONFLIES

Blair Nikula, Jackie Sones, Donald Stokes, Lillian Stokes
Little, Brown and Company, 150 pages

Lightweight and portable, this guide can fit in a pocket or daypack for use in the field. The opening pages provide general information about dragonfly biology, and give tips on what to look for to aid identification. Species are organized into like groups, with a checklist in front to point readers in the right section. Although it doesn’t cover every species, this book is a perfect introductory guide to dragonfly and damselfly identification.

DAMSELFLIES OF THE NORTHEAST: A Guide to the Species of Eastern Canada & the Northeastern United States 

By Ed Lam
Biodiversity Books, 96 pages

If your interest extends to damsels, not dragons, Damselflies of the Northeast: A Guide to the Species of Eastern Canada & the Northeastern United States is your go-to guide. An artist and authority on odes, Ed Lam’s illustrations are both beautiful and extremely useful. Experts will enjoy the wealth of technical detail, while beginners will appreciate the tips to distinguish between similar species. Helpfully, Lam notes if a species can be identified in the field, or if capture and up-close inspection are optimal to pinpoint a species.

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES OF GEORGIA AND THE SOUTHEAST

By Giff Beaton
University of Georgia Press, 368 pages

Covering southeastern species found north of Florida, naturalist Giff Beaton’s guide is perfect for dragonfly enthusiasts living in Georgia and neighboring states. The text covers the 150 most common species in the region, many of which are found in the Mid-Atlantic States and Florida as well. Large color photographs make for easy identification, and the guide also includes information on flight seasons, range, similar species, habitat, and behavior.

COMMON DRAGONFLIES OF CALIFORNIA

By Kathy Biggs
Azalea Creek Publishing, 128 pages

Naturalist Kathy Bigg’s beginner-friendly book covers the 113 species of dragonflies and damselflies of California. The guide features a bold line showing the length of each species, to help compare dragonflies of different sizes. Color photographs of both males and females are included. The descriptions are detailed but succinct, so it’s light enough to carry into the outdoors. Beginners will also appreciate the explanations of technical terms included in the glossary.

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Scaly-breasted Munia by Dave Bell

In California Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata: Scaly-breasted Munias are locally common in San Diego, Ventura, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties especially in riparian habitat. They also occur locally in the south San Francisco bay area and a few other scattered locations. They are common in the Houston, TX area. They also occur in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, although they are generally less common there.

Scaly-breasted Munias prefer riparian vegetation especially around the edges of water, such as reeds and reeds mixed with grass.  They are closely associated with tall seeding grass and other seeding plants.  Learning their distinctive calls will make them much easier to find, as they often remain hidden in vegetation and can be inconspicuous.

Scaly-breasted Munias are somewhat seasonal in Southern California, which is a bit odd since they don’t migrate. Munias are easiest to find between June and November and are a bit harder to find between January and April. It appears that at least some of this seasonality is related to dispersal away from breeding areas and changes in habits. Outside of the breeding season, munias tend to stay low in vegetation and are best found by their calls.

Most of the locations described below are allso good places for general birding.

Huntington Beach Central Park: A premier vagrant trap in Southern California.  Scaly-breated Munias are one of the most abundant species in the wetter portions of the park, especially in the eastern portion of the park (east of Golden West Blvd).  Look for them along the north and east side of the ephemeral lake in the eastern portion of the park.  This is perhaps the easiest place to find this species.

San Gabriel River in Pico Rivera: A thriving colony of Norther Red Bishops (formerly known as Orange Bishops) and Scaly-breasted Munias is in the weedy grasses going to seed, upstream side of Whittier Narrows Dam flood control gates. Directions: Park near here.  From the parting area, take river trail/bike path north, up and over the dam and down into the river bottom right in front of the gates.  This area is often damp and full of seeding grass, and attracts large numbers of seedeaters including buntings, munias, bishops, grosbeaks, blackbirds, towhees and sparrows.

Peck Road Water Conservation Park: A colony of Norther Red Bishops and Scaly-breasted Munias lives at the North End of the lake and also near the narrow canal that separates the North and South Lakes.  Note that this area is marked “No trespassing” and also has an active homeless encampment, so enter this area with caution and at your own risk.  Do not go alone.

Note that this is a great area to find seedeaters of many types in the fall.  A more accessible area to check is west of the main parking lot.

Lower Los Angeles River – the stream side vegetation and reeds both south and north of Willow St are good places to look for Northern Red Bishops and Scaly-breasted Munias in the breeding season.

Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park (currently CLOSED July 2014)  – the reed beds around the edge of the lake host Scaly-breasted Munias, although they are harder to find here than at the locations listed above because they tend to stay in the reeds.

Rio Hondo at Rush St.  – the small reed beds in the channel and the riparian edge in the 1/2 mile between Rush and Garvey.  Park on Rush Street and walk west to the bike path along the Rio Hondo.  Check the riparian edge and the walk north along the bike path.

5 Peters Canyon Rd, Irvine, CA. – Park across the street in the business park areas and walk across the street to the Peters Canyon concrete walled wash that runs parallel to the street and if you walk 100 yards (and typically way less) up stream or down stream and don’t see a Munia, you may have your eyes closed!

Please let me know if you notice anything that needs to be modified on this page.

David Bell 2014

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