What do you read? It has occurred to me that many of you rely on others to do ID work. That is ok by me. BUT,do you want to learn this stuff or what? I would bet most of us who have...

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

It has occurred to me that many of you rely on others to do ID work. That is ok by me. BUT,do you want to learn this stuff or what? I would bet most of us who have been with any real length of time used, and still use BOOKS. Google is only another tool. IT IS NOT THE LAST WORD. So, I have thought some of you would like to know how this was done "in the day". In other words, what books are recommended as must have reference? RSVPS PLEASE.Bill

Fred Harwood Loc: Sheffield, Mass.

Gave all of my reference books to the local library. Now use the net for reference, bookmarking better ones, depending upon the subject.

Haven't had a need for a reference book since 2006.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

An excellent idea! The books I use (and still regularly use) are:

A Field Guide to the Insects of America North of Mexico by Borror and White: https://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Insects-America-Mexico/dp/0395911702/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530294631&sr=8-1&keywords=A+field+guide+to+the+insects+of+north+america

Spiders and Their Kin (an amazing little golden nature guide book. Mine is falling apart). https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Spiders-Their-Golden-Nature/dp/B000F00JTW/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530294677&sr=1-3&keywords=Spiders+and+their+kin

PRETENDER Loc: Micanopy,Florida

I love my collection of Audubon Books on all natural subjects . I also have several little Golden books which are very old.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I have quite a few birding books, both ID manuals, location guides, and photography related books, maybe six of these several specific to where I live.
Wild Flowers of the Columbia River Gorge (Jolley)—nothing else compares

For spiders & insects: “The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders”

I also use a spider guide that has the eye patterns for efficiently narrowing the options down. Printed it off the net....not sure where I first saw it.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I have to say that nothing beats a physical field guide to at least approximate the identify of a critter, getting it down to order and hopefully family at least. Bugguide has its uses, certainly, but it can be pretty daunting if you don't know roughly what you are dealing with.

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

Thanks to all so far. I use the popular field guides and the standard.entrance level books. I also use or have used the following, The Moth book and The Butterfly book by Holland(early 1900's) ,Dillon and Dillon for beetles, Arnett's Beetles of N. America N. of Mexico( to genus),and from pre webdays, about two feet of monographs. My most recommended book would be Borror, DeLong and Tripplehorn 'Study of Insects'. It is the best text for a non pro to start. Bill

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

Mark Sturtevant wrote:

I have to say that nothing beats a physical field guide to at least approximate the identify of a critter, getting it down to order and hopefully family at least. Bugguide has its uses, certainly, but it can be pretty daunting if you don't know roughly what you are dealing with.

Here Here. That is why BDT is so necessary. When you learn it you now have a starting point. They are to be had for under 20$ on eBay, or check a college book store. Keep them coming. Thanks

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

newtoyou wrote:

Thanks to all so far. I use the popular field guides and the standard.entrance level books. I also use or have used the following, The Moth book and The Butterfly book by Holland(early 1900's) ,Dillon and Dillon for beetles, Arnett's Beetles of N. America N. of Mexico( to genus),and from pre webdays, about two feet of monographs. My most recommended book would be Borror, DeLong and Tripplehorn 'Study of Insects'. It is the best text for a non pro to start. Bill

I also have several of those. The Moth Book is extraordinary with the plates showing what may be just about every moth there is in the U.S.
People should know that all of these can be had from online retailers for very little $.