Hobbies And Interests
Types of Online Field Guides
Online insect field guides come in a variety of versions. Some, such as the "eNature" guide or the "Insect Identification Guide," are comprehensive, covering insects from all regions and areas of the U.S. and the world. Others, like the "Field Guide to Common Texas Insects," are specific to a state or region, or cover specific insect groups, such as "Butterflies and Moths of North America."
Included Information
Online insect field guides include a range of information. Along with full-color photographs and identification, guides provide descriptions of insect life cycles, habitats and sounds. The field guides also cover details about insect orders, families and related species.
How to Use a Field Guide
Most field guides are organized by insect order---whether it is a spider, beetle or fly. Begin by figuring out what order the insect belongs to, then select the link for that order from the online guide. From there, determine the family and the common name of the insect. Be sure to look carefully at the insect to identify unique markings or features that will assist in comparing it to the online images.