The 9 Best bug Identification Guides (2023 reviews)

We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a guide. The george c mcgavin bug identification guide is exactly that - it's a simple guide that hits all the right notes. Unlike many similar handbooks about insects, this small slim paperback is actually a serious reference work. It provides a manageable overview using linnaean taxonomy (family tree), within its 250 pages. It takes the reader only a short while to identify what type of insect is encountered and to learn some essential facts about that type of insect.

This book has close up pictures and good descriptions of insects. It is probably more suited to the coffee table than to the field and the garden. As with all DK books, the illustrations are extremely clear and detailed and the treatment of the subject is comprehensive. The concise descriptive text accompanying the photographs is very clearly written, and it is easy to understand because it avoids difficult technical jargon. This is a very useful and easy book to use in identifying insects that share your home and garden.

Why We Like This:

Perfect guide for an insect-obsessed child
Good investment for long term

Best For packing: National Audubon Society bug Identification Guide

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The national audubon society bug identification guide is capable of outshining several other guide featured in this list in overall features in its price range. The Audubon has one of the easiest to use methods of finding an insect from any of the insect guides. It is a beautiful binded book, durable, glossy pictures, great font, and great paper. It includes a form of taxonomic keys that are not that hard to use. The photos are full color, the descriptions are concise and easy to read.

This book will get you in the ballpark when you try to identifying these animals, but you'll have to use other reference materials if you are serious about taxonomy. This is a great reference book with good photos to help in identification. It is great for identifying bugs around the home.

Why We Like This:

Great selection of insects and covers so many and gives great descriptions
Full color pictures and clear descriptions are included
Wonderful for anyone who wants to identify that insect that
Ideal for field use or just around the house, garden, or yard

Best advanced Book: ARTHUR V Evans Great Book

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The arthur v evans great book is capable of outshining several other guide featured in this list in overall features for the price point. If your intention is to keep a pocket guide around to learn about some of the insects you see, this book might accomplish that. It’s arranged like a field book so it’s not just another kids book on bugs. This pocket-sized edition is a great reference for beginner entomologists. It has great illustrations and photos.

National Geographic provides first-rate color pictures in this one, but also includes sizes of each species when they are mature. This book has large, life-sized photos, gives habitat guidelines, range, and a general description of food eaten. It’s small and easy to carry.

Why We Like This:

Great for anyone looking for a compact guide to all sorts of common insects
Excellent and easy for quick reference
Super informative, great pocket book, and of course, amazing photos

Best For locating decriptions: Cranshaw bug Identification Guide

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate guide. The cranshaw bug identification guide is exactly that - it's a simple guide that hits all the right notes. This book is very accessible to those who are interested in the secret tiny life that exists off of their back porch, people who don't know where to start and therefore keep pushing it off. This guide has wonderful color pictures of various stages of plant pests, and concise descriptions of their life cycles. It gives a brief biology lesson and also has a chapter on the "good guys."

This book does an admirable job of covering the main concern which is being able to identify the pests / problems and after identification to take that information and search for remedies. It gives a brief biology lesson and also has a chapter on the "good guys. The way the bugs are organized in the book is perfect. This is a large, heavy book, not one to carry around. This is a must have for every gardener and insect lover, it is a great reference book and would recommend it to others.

Why We Like This:

Extremely helpful and thorough guide, photos at each life stage
Great too, for helping to identify beneficial bugs that are buddies
Worth the money, easy to use, fairly in depth
Perfect book for a horticulturalists library

Best With Fish: Lynn Frierson Faust bug Identification Guide

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Lynn Frierson Faust line of guide come in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. This book will be with you outside at night, with your book light attached, while you try to identify your first flashing firefly to species. It is a great way to get interested in mother nature. Each chapter of this guide begins with a literary or poetic reference to fireflies that draws one immediately into the subject.

There are over 600 color photographs which are unsurpassed in clarity and detail. The chapters are short and focused, and they tell you everything you need to know to identify the many, many different types of glowing bugs "out there" in the night. It may also encourage you to turn off the front porch light unless you’re expecting visitors.

Why We Like This:

Very user-friendly and easy to assimilate
A thorough, well-researched, and tremendously illustrated book
A must for the nature enthusiast

Best general Guide: Tom Murray bug Identification Guide

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate guide. The tom murray bug identification guide is exactly that - it's a simple guide that hits all the right notes. If you're interested in insects in New England, this book is a must have. It is the most efficient for beginning the identification of a new insect specimen. This easily pocketed field guide has many of the species you will meet in new england. There are a number of guides on insects, most covering all of North America. It is for those who are interested in insects and want to identify the ones they see, this is a fine addition to your field guide library.

This is a great book for both beginners and more experienced naturalist/entomologists. It is worth getting and thoroughly enjoying for those who love gardening and water gardening or the outdoors in general. It is also very easy to use and portable.

Why We Like This:

Great for gardeners, landscapers and bug enthusiasts
Indispensable for people in the coastal northeast
Great color photos and very well organized
A must have for the curios outdoor adventurer, amazing detail and photos

Best For damsels: Dennis Paulson bug Identification Guide

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We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention dennis paulson bug identification guide for daily purpose. This is an exceptional book for any dragonfly enthusiast with a focus on identification. This volume is destined to become a classic and "must have" for all odonata enthusiasts from the amateur to the professional. This paulson guide has more photos and can be used to fine-tune your findings from the Biggs book, plus you will need this Paulson guide if you live in the west, outside of California. It features great photographs and plenty of information.

This doesn't detract noticeably from the wealth of information and user-friendly format that comes wonderfully packaged in this indispensable tool. It is designed with the needs of the naturalist in mind. These are both excellent and at least in california, they make an unbeatable combination if you are interested in dragonflies & damselflies. It is the right size to take with you in the field.

Why We Like This:

A must have for the serious amateur, and great for photographers
Good solid binding and fine printing
A must book for any dragonfly enthusiast
Good maps to determine locations and excellent photography

Best For folks: ARTHUR V Evans bug Identification Guide

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Compared with other guide in this category, the arthur v evans bug identification guide has a convenient design. It is good for kids, but not very inclusive. It is good for knowledge about the top 150 insects of north america. The front inner cover gives a quick pictorial index into the various families of insects and spiders covered while the back inner cover gives a quick overview of insect and spider bodies. The photographs are nice, the binding tight, the pages bright and well played out.

The book isn't organized as a field guide to enable you to identify any random insect or spider you may come across. It does cover the most common species, so if you learn these insects, you will have a good start for moving up to a more technical manual with more species. It is great for kids, but not very inclusive.

Why We Like This:

Useful for both adults and kids
Good investment for long term

Best For outdoor use: Jaret C Daniels bug Identification Guide

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Jaret C Daniels is known for creating pragmatic and minimalist guide for people on the go, and its line of jaret c daniels bug identification guide definitely falls in line with that reputation.

Why We Like This:

Uses location (on flowers or in water) to help speed identifying critters
Heavy, coated pages and spiral binding make it good for outdoor use
Good brand reputation