The study of insects reveals a miniature world of drama and spectacle equal to any television wildlife epic, says the author of a fascinating book about our smallest neighbours.

Insects Of Cornwall And The Isles Of Scilly is the latest addition to Penzance publisher Alison Hodge's acclaimed Pocket Cornwall series.

Steve Jones has been fascinated by insects since childhood and is the ideal guide. Dragonflies are his great love, so it is no surprise that he was one of the first members of the British Dragonfly Society. He has been Cornwall's recorder for dragonflies for more than 20 years.

An accomplished photographer, Mr Jones is an active member of Cornwall Wildlife Trust's photographic group and his images have appeared in a number of magazines, including British Wildlife and Cornwall Today, as well as in specialist journals and dragonfly guides.

His latest book provides an introduction to many of the more commonly encountered insects of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. However, some scarcer species of dragonflies and butterflies are included "to give as complete a picture as possible for these two very important groups".

He gives tips on insect identification, when and where to find them, and on how to watch them. Reminding readers that the compound eyes of insects are extremely sensitive to movement, he suggests "approaching your subject slowly and carefully, without making sudden movements and keeping your body as low as possible".

He also outlines insect natural history and describes the characteristics of each group.

Engagingly written, his infectious enthusiasm jumps from the pages. He tells the reader that about five out of every six animal species in the world are insects and that of the million or so named insects across the globe, some 20,000 are found in Britain.

While accepting that some insects are regarded as pests, Mr Jones points out that many more are vital to the ecosystems to which we all belong. Without insect pollinators, the plant life on which we depend, either directly or indirectly, could not be sustained. And many species of insect clear up much of the detritus, such as dung and carrion, that threatens to clutter our crowded planet.

He says: "Step into their macro-world and you will find that many insects are incredibly beautiful, fantastically alien in design, amazingly intricate and perfectly evolved for their role on earth."

Mr Jones is particularly good on his beloved dragonflies and damselflies, which he says "capture the very essence of summer as they perform their intricate aerobatics on hot, sunny days".

Some 10 species of damselfly and 12 species of dragonfly are resident in Cornwall.

The greatest diversity of species are to be found in areas that have been shaped by the search for tin or china clay, such as the Red River Valley near Camborne and the St Austell china clay area.

Natural vegetation re-colonises such areas at a slow rate and the nationally rare blue-tailed damselfly is one species that has benefited enormously.

Perhaps the most popular and visible group of insects are butterflies. Of the 40 species found in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, 37 are resident and three are immigrants that have produced a Cornish generation during the summer months.

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.