Dragonflies of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore
By A. G. Orr. – (2005)
127 pages; gloss art, with 451 colour illustrations and 1 map.
Soft Cover: 17cm x 11.4cm.
ISBN: 983-812-103-7
Natural History Publications (Borneo) Kota Kinabalu
For anyone wanting to learn about the dragonflies of Malay and Singapore and immediate surrounding countries, then this little book is a great start. This is the second book published by this author, following his “Dragonflies of Borneo” for which he received the Worldwide Dragonfly Association award for “Outstanding Achievement”.
Covering nearly 99% of the Odonata known to Singapore and Peninsular Malay (approximately 230 species), this handy sized book is beautifully illustrated with excellent colour drawings of nearly all species and or specialized diagnostic features such as wing venation and reproductive organs, of which some diagnostic characters are illustrated in monochrome. Where some closely related species share very similar body structure and colour, just the specialized separating diagnostic features are illustrated.
The book is divided into two suborders, first the Zygoptera (damselflies) followed by the Anisoptera (dragonflies) and further listed in alphabetical order starting with the family then genus then each species of that genus known to the area within each suborder.
Each species has it scientific name, an average hind wing measurement, a brief description of identifying features, type of habitat and general global distribution when distributed further than Malay and Singapore. Most species are illustrated and some include a description and illustration of their larvae.
This book is a great introduction and very handy for anyone with an interest in the Odonata of the area and I would assume younger people would also find it fascinating and indeed inspire them to take further interest to learn more about our natural environment.
Rod Rice
Principal Reviewer
Nature & Travel Books