A Guide to the Dragonflies of Borneo (Their Identification and Biology)
By A. G. Orr – (2003)
195 pages; matt art paper, 201 colour photos, 131 colour illustrations, 68 monochrome illustrations, 1 map and 1 table.
Hard Cover: 26.2cm x 19cm.
ISBN: 983-812-069-3
Natural History Publications (Borneo) Kota Kinabalu
This was (along with Steve Brooks ‘Dragonflies’ published same year) the first book on the Odonata I acquired. During my field work with plants I have photographed many odonates from North Borneo, West Thailand, Laos and Sri Lanka and was keen to learn what some of them might be and after reading this book (and ‘Dragonflies’ – “WARNING” both books are covert instruments of infatuation) my long held fascination of these creatures since teens, became a new (on top of plants and birds) rather enthusiastic interest – for which I am not thwarted but am indeed grateful.
This book is an excellent introduction not just to the Odonata of Borneo but to the region itself. It is also the first to illustrate comprehensively a field guide or scientific treatment of any tropical odonate fauna.
Besides inspiring interest in the Odonata it has been designed as a key to aid identification of specimens to at least superfamily or family level and further provides a summary of the superfamilies, families, genera and species of Borneo. But its use goes much further than at an autonomous island level.
In the opening pages it covers the prehistoric history, structure of adults and larvae, life cycle, biology, biogeography and endemism with habits and habitats, collection and photography. This is followed by keys (adult specimens) to the suborders and families aided by many very helpful illustrations. A checklist of the islands species (known at the time) is presented broken down into superfamily, families and genera with species of each genus (known to Borneo only) listed with author and year published.
Approximately 60% of the 275 species known to Borneo at the time of writing are illustrated with either or both fine quality colour photographs and outstanding colour and monochrome illustrations. The colour illustrations are not only technically superb but also artistically excellent.
In 2005 this book and the author received the Worldwide Dragonfly Association award for “Outstanding Achievement” for contributions to the knowledge of tropical odonates. This book is a great introduction to the Odonata not just of Borneo and Southeast Asia, but generally an inspiring glimpse of the diversity of damsel and dragonflies and a copy of it should be on the shelves of all nature lovers as well as fans of Odontology.
Rod Rice
Principal Reviewer
Nature & Travel Books