California Insects

California Natural History Guides #44

by Jerry A. Powell, Charles L. Hogue

California has a vast number of insect species: estimates run 30,000-35,000 or more, and even in the better known groups, new species occasionally are discovered. This volume is the first attempt in more than half a century to summarize knowledge of this rich insect fauna, and the first work ever to provide a field guide for beginning students, and the nonspecialist reader. It selects about 600 of the more characteristic kinds of insects to represent the huge variety known. Most of these are conspicuous kinds often noticed in cities or in natural areas by gardeners, hikers, fishermen, etc. For each insect, distinguishing features of its appearance, features of its biology, and its geographical distribution in California are summarized: and an illustration (photograph or drawing) is given of the adult or some other stage.

California Insects will serve as a convenient, compact introduction to the identification and understanding of these often strange and fascinating creatures. Used with other information sources cited in the text, it provides the student, collector, or naturalist a means of efficiently developing knowledge of specialized groups of insects.

Genres: Guides, Nature

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Scott Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of my more well-used field guides. It is an excellent introduction to many of the insect orders found in California. The drawings are excellent, as are the relatively small photographs. The introductory chapter describing the various insect orders is succinct and very educational.

[Ken-ichi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little guide to the insects of CA. It's not comprehensive, but it covers most of the basics, esp. the common stuff.