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Best Insect and Spider Field Guides

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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America
Kaufman
Field Guide to Insects of North America

This book has nice illustrations and includes spiders and other "bugs" with more than 6 legs.

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Bottom Line

This book has nice illustrations and includes spiders and other "bugs" with more than 6 legs.

Pros

Easy to understand. Well organized. Provides interesting information for both adults and children. Very clear. Nice images. A nice general guide that comes to a good size considering the number of insects it features. Not too bulky. A good book for easy reference.

Cons

The book is a great reference, but doesn't include as many common names as it could.

Best Bang for the Buck
National Wildlife Federation. Field Guide to Insects and Spiders & Related Species of North America
National Wildlife Federation.
Field Guide to Insects and Spiders & Related Species of North America

A book that covers a wide variety of spiders and insects.

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Bottom Line

A book that covers a wide variety of spiders and insects.

Pros

Nice photos of a decent size that make the bugs and spiders very visible. Comes with a waterproof cover. Covers a large amount of bugs. Easy to use to identify bugs on your hunt. Enough information to have some value for entomologists, but accessible for anyone.

Cons

The book is a little big to carry around easily as a field guide.

National Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects and Spiders: North America
National Audubon Society
Field Guide to Insects and Spiders: North America

A very nice bound-leather field guide that is useful for reference of anyone interested in insects.

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Bottom Line

A very nice bound-leather field guide that is useful for reference of anyone interested in insects.

Pros

Lots of good information in this book. Durable cover. Subjects photographed in their habitats. Helps aid with identification. Beautiful pictures. Children interested in spiders and insects will really enjoy this book.

Cons

This book seems to not have as many insects featured as some others. It can be a little difficult to use.

National Geographic Backyard Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America
National Geographic
Backyard Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America

A good basic guide that helps with identification of your most common North American insects and spiders.

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Bottom Line

A good basic guide that helps with identification of your most common North American insects and spiders.

Pros

Very interesting information. Well written and helpful. A true pocket guide. Includes a Citizen Science projects section. Written for beginner bug lovers. Includes a glossary for difficult terms. Good colored pictures and descriptions of basic and common bugs. A nice family book.

Cons

Book only features 150 insects and spiders. Others have hundreds or even thousands.

Peterson Field Guides A Field Guide to Insects: America North of Mexico
Peterson Field Guides
A Field Guide to Insects: America North of Mexico

A great field guide for insects of North America with a lot of information on how-to find, identify, and collect.

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Bottom Line

A great field guide for insects of North America with a lot of information on how-to find, identify, and collect.

Pros

Very handy and easy to use. Includes a lot of information. Professional enough for entomologists, but easy enough for anyone interested in learning more about insects. Very detailed. Good for learning about insects.

Cons

Does not have as much color as some of the other field guides. Doesn't include spiders.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
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First Reviewed
October 03, 2018
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