Aquatic Entomology: The Fishermen's Guide and Ecologists' Illustrated Guide to Insects and Their Relatives (Crosscurrents)

A few of the taxa have changed names since the publication of the book in 1981, but this shouldn't prove to be problem for the intended audience.


Great text for beginning Aquatic Entomlogy enthusiasts!   February 25, 1999
26 out of 29 found this review helpful

I have personally taken an upper level Aquatic Entomology course from Dr. McCafferty at Purdue University. McCafferty's text is very well done, and very easy to use. The 'flow-chart' style identification keys are perfect for the non formally-trained entomologist. The illustrations are by Arwin Provonsha (who is also at Purdue Universtity). Arwin is one of the best scientific illustrators I have seen. Definately top-notch work! Some taxa are a bit out of date, notably the Hydrophilidae, but that is hardly a problem. Hopefully a revision will be published in the near future to keep this wonderful text current.


Good First Textbook   July 9, 2004
Lonnie Shull (USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I've had my copy of Aquatic Entomology for almost 15 years now. I still refer to it quite often. It's a great first text for someone wanting to learn the craft of identification of aquatic insects. This IS a technical book, but not as technical as some (Merrit and Cummings for example). If your a fisherman who only wants to know what a Mayfly, Caddisfly or Stonefly looks like, then this book is not for you. This book also assumes some basic knowledge of aquatic insects. If you want to be able to recognize the major families of these (and other) orders than this is a great book to start with. There is a lot of information for the fisherman who is willing to "read between the lines". Know the basic natural history of certain insect groups will help one to be a better fisherman. This text also gives the basics of aquatic insect collection and storage. There is a tremendous world of diversity in our streams, rivers and lakes. This is a great book to help one unlock the key to this world.


book review   February 25, 2006
Christina Villarreal
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This book is very detailed and gives accurate descriptions of all aquatic insects. The pictures with in each chapter also depict what the specimen look like. With all the information on the aquatic insects that is provide by this book it would be hard to believe that there is a better book out there.



Aquatic Entomology   August 10, 2005
Rick Purcell (Ohio)
This is a must have for fly fishermen looking to study entomology as it applies to fishing and fly tying. I saw this book at my local Orvis store (reference only) and one look told me I needed it in my library. The plates and drawings are fantastic. This is a detailed study, but not over the head of most fly fishermen. Match it with Gary Lafontaine's "Caddisflies", Shane Stalcup's "Mayflies - Top to Bottom" and/or Dave Hugh's "Matching Mayflies" and you have the start of a good entomology library for fly fishermen.
Aquatic Entomology even has sections marked by a small image of a tied fly, which are of special interest to the fisherman. Get this book!!