This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ... Article I.--The Dragon-flies (Odonata) of Illinois, vith Descriptions of the Immature Stages. Part I. Petal uridte, Msrhnidce, and Gomphida*. By James G. Needham And Charles A. Hart. Introduction. The present paper is the combined product of studies made by the authors upon the collections of the Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History, including those of the Biological Station at Havana, and by Professor Needham on his private collection. The state collections comprise the results of many years' work in all parts of Illinois, including five successive years of field observation and collection at the Illinois Biological Station on the Illinois River at Havana; specimens obtained by Professor H. Garman from the Mississippi and related waters at Quincy, Ill. (Garman, '90); a large series from the small lakes of northeastern Illinois; and collections made by Professor Forbes in Yellowstone Park and its vicinity (Forbes, '93) and from lakes Geneva and Delavan, Wis., under the auspices of the U. S. Fish Commission. Professor Needham's private collection used in the preparation of this paper contains many Illinois and New York species, reared by him to the imago, and others contributed by correspondents, particularly by Mr. F. G. Schaupp in Texas, Mr. Adolph Hempel in Florida, and Mr. F. C. Willard in Arizona. The preparation of the introductory matter, biological discussions, and keys to the nymphs has devolved upon Mr. Hart, while the descriptive matter, with a few exceptions, was prepared by Professor Needham. We are indebted to Mr. C. C. Adams for abundant data on the occurrence of the imagos in Illinois derived from his large private collection, and also for work on the keys to the genera of imagos. We are under special obligation to...

This monograph is the first of its kind devoted entirely to the dragonfly nymphs of North America north of Mexico, the focus being accurate identification of the 330 species of Anisoptera that occur in the region. Nymphal external morphology is described and illustrated in detail, and all terms needed to navigate the dichotomous keys are defined. Species are tabulated with references that provide the most detailed, accurate descriptions for each; species that are inadequately described are so indicated. The key separating the seven families in the region contains several new characters. The families are then covered separately: Aeshnidae (13 genera), Gomphidae (17 genera), Petaluridae (2 genera), Cordulegastridae (2 genera), Macromiidae (2 genera), Corduliidae (7 genera), and Libellulidae (29 genera). Each family is further characterized, followed by a generic key. A drawing of the habitus and diagnostic details for each genus are provided, along with additional diagnostic remarks and notes on habitat and life cycle; for each genus, a map shows its geographic distribution in North America. Full-grown nymphs of all known species of each genus are keyed and diagnosed; characters that apply to earlier instars are noted. Morphological variation in character states was analyzed in order to assess the reliability of previously utilized characters and to discover new characters. Most of the characters used to distinguish all levels of taxa are illustrated; a total of 702 figures, comprising 1,800 original drawings, along with selected photographs where necessary for clarity, accompany the keys. Measurements of total length, head width, and other variables for each species are provided in tables. Difficulties with past keys and descriptions, including errors, omissions and other shortcomings, are addressed. The importance of nymph characters in helping solve generic and specific distinctions and their role in phylogenetic studies is emphasized. Methods for collecting, rearing, and preserving dragonfly nymphs and exuviae are presented. The final chapter discusses research opportunities on North American Anisoptera nymphs, including taxonomic needs, studies on structure and function, life history and microhabitat, water quality indices and conservation efforts. The habitus drawings of all genera are arranged according to family in five plates (Appendix I); although the book is intended as a lab manual, these plates conveniently allow for comparison based on nymph shape making field identification to genus possible in many cases. Appendix II contains a brief history of dragonfly nymph studies in North America. A glossary and an index to scientific names are included.

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