Regrettably the range of books in bookshops and public libraries has greatly deteriorated in recent years. However, there are good introductory books in print for insects and other invertebrates. Your local public library can obtain books and even obscure references via the National Lending Library
Be aware that the pictures in introductory books are only representative so species identification can be unreliable.
Identification to species is possible in comprehensive books to butterflies, macro-moths and dragonflies (and also their larvae), hoverflies and a limited number of other invertebrates.
The Field Studies Council has fold-out charts for such groups as ladybirds, shield bugs, grasshoppers and allies. They also publish AIDGAP booklets which include keys (keys offer a yes/no answer to a series of questions as a route to identification) to trickier groups such as woodlice and lacewings.
 Claudia Watts.bmp) |
| 22-spot ladybird © Claudia Watts |
There are keys to some insect groups published by the Royal Entomological Society, and many more tucked away in journals.
Identification of some other groups ranges from do-able to diabolical, and for some invertebrates there are no books on identification available. It is best to seek advice before embarking on one of the less popular groups.
