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Field Guides

Dragonflies of the Northwoods
by Kurt Mead

This is the best field guide for Minnesota dragonflies. It contains most of the species found in the state with very few species that are not found in Minnesota. Its size also makes it very easy to carry in the field.

Damselflies of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan
by Bob Dubois

Written by Bob Dubois, an honorary life time member of the MDS, this is the most comprehensive guide for damselflies from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Dragonflies and Damselfies of Northeast Ohio
by Larry Rosche with Judy Semroc and Linda Gilbert

Although this book focuses on dragonflies of Northeast Ohio it contains most of the species found in Minnesota, especially some of the states southern species that are not covered by the North Woods books.

Dragonflies and damselflies of the East
by Dennis Paulson

A great resource for identifying dragonflies, especially out of state specimens. Paulson's companion guide, Dragonflies and Damselfies of the West, is also a must have.

Dragonfly Nymphs of North America
by Ken Tennessen

The first book of its kind devoted entirely to the dragonfly nymphs, the focus being the accurate identification of 330 species of Anisoptera that occur in North America north of Mexico

Dragonflies Through Binoculars: A Field Guide to Dragonflies of North America
by Sidney W. Dunkle

One of the first dragonfly field guides. A true pioneer.

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Minnesota
by Scott King

Contains maps and flight season data for 149 species known for Minnesota. The atlas and annotated checklist is a summation of a century of observations and research

Damselflies of the Northeast
by Ed Lam

Contains many of the damselfly species in Minnesota. An excellent companion to Damselflies of the North Woods.

Color Guide to Common Dragonflies of Wisconsin
by Karl and Dorothy Legler

Back in print and available through the University of Wisconsin Arboretum Bookstore

Other Print References for Identification

Dragonflies of North America

by James G. Needham, Minter J. Westfall, Jr., & Michael L. May

Damselflies of North America

by Minter J. Westfall, Jr., and Michael L. May, (revised by Mike May)

The Odonata of Canada and Alaska - Vols. 1 and 2

by Edmund M. Walker

The Odonata of Canada and Alaska – Vol. 3

by Edmund M. Walker and Philip S. Corbet