If you have enjoyed the photographs and information on this website you may be interested to know that my first book, Insects of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, will be published on the 6th July 2010 by award winning publishers Alison Hodge. The book will be one of the latest editions in the acclaimed Pocket Cornwall series and is aimed at the general observer who enjoys exploring the many diverse wildlife habitats of the county. It will enable the reader to identify some of the fascinating array of insects that they might encounter and covers all the resident Cornish species of butterflies, dragonflies & damselflies, plus a range of moths, grasshoppers & crickets, beetles, bumblebees, wasps, flies & bugs to complete the picture.
Over 130 species are covered in detail, with a photograph for each insect, along with the a description of the key identification features, the type of habitat where the species is likely to occur, plus it's distribution & status. Each species account also has a calendar bar showing the peak periods when the adult insect may be seen.
In addition to a general introduction to insects, the text also includes introductions to each order, plus sections on watching insects in the field, further reading suggestions and a complete index to all species. For those wanting to take their interest a little further there is a list of specialist organisations and contact websites .
The majority of the 146 colour photographs were taken during the summer of 2009 at various locations around the county and the book includes a gazetteer of sites where some of the less common species can be seen.
Throughout the 104 pages I have tried to keep technical terms to a minimum, and have included a glossary for some of the less familiar terms that I have used. Measuring 150mm x 153mm (6" x 6") this paperback book will be an ideal size for carrying in the field.
The Insects of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly by Steve Jones, (ISBN:9780906720745), will be available at £5.95 from retailers throughout the county as well as through the publishers website at: http://www.alisonhodge.co.uk/ShowDetails.asp?id=140 or via Amazon at : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Insects-Cornwall-Isles-Scilly-Pocket/dp/0906720745/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272814639&sr=8-1
Insects of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly was the subject of a very positive review by Tony Langford in the Western Morning News of Tuesday 6th July 2010 also available online here:
http://www.thisiswesternmorningnews.co.uk/news/Photographer-eye-damsel/article-2381238-detail/article.html
He writes: "Engagingly written, his infectious enthusiasm jumps from the pages................................whether you use this book for reference, to thumb through from time to time, or to read straight through, it will transform your view of these diverse creatures"
Click on the thumbnail below to view a gallery featuring a selection of images from the book.
Once loaded, if you hover your mouse over the gallery you will see text buttons two thirds of the way up each side of the image. Click on the left to go back to the previous image and on the right to go to the next image. To exit the gallery click on the cross at the bottom right of the viewer. 
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