Insects of the Texas Lost Pines, by Stephen Welton Taber and Scott B. Fleenor (TAMU Press, 2003). Setting out to identify and describe the insects and related animals most readily observed in the Lost Pines, the authors also discovered some hidden, rare, and never-before-described species. The result is this book, a bestiary of more than 280 species of invertebrates including insects, millipedes, centipedes, spiders, scorpions, mollusks, and worms. Each species description includes common and scientific names; information on biology, distribution, and similar species; and the authors’ special remarks.
Texas Entomology. All things buggy in Texas: this collection of information, photos, databases and links by Mike Quinn, Invertebrate Biologist at TPWD, is a great starting place to find information to help identify or learn about insects (and other invertebrates) in Texas.
Austin Bug Collection, a photographic guide to the insects, spiders, and related arthropods found in Austin, Texas. Val Bugh’s outstanding visual guide to Central Texas insects and spiders.
BugGuide.Net – BugGuide is an online community of naturalists who enjoy learning about and sharing observations of insects, spiders, and other related creatures. Using the best resources available, BugGuide is creating a knowledgebase to help each other and the online community to identify, learn about, and share knowledge of the insect world. A great place to find (or share) photos of insects.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) – a searchable database of verified butterfly and moth records in the United States and Mexico. This site includes dynamic distribution maps, photographs, species accounts, and species checklists for each county in the U.S. and each state in Mexico. It includes checklists and photos of the butterflies recorded in Bastrop and Caldwell Counties.
Monarch Watch is an educational outreach program at the University of Kansas whose goals are to further science education; to promote the conservation of Monarch butterflies; and to involve people across the country in study of the Monarchs’ spectacular migration. Their site includes lots of information on how to rear monarchs, how to plant butterfly gardents, and other resources for observing and protecting monarchs (and other butterflies).
USGS also has a list of common dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) of Bastrop County.
Odonata Central – John Abbot’s (UT Austin) site, designed to make available what is known about the distribution, biogeography and biodiversity of Odonata (dragonflies & damselflies) in North America, including Mexico. Special emphasis, however, is placed on Texas and the surrounding states. Checklists, field guide and over 2,000 photos of 336 species.
Texas Bee Watchers – Kim Bacon’s website dedicated to conservation of native Texas bees. Great resource for lanning a bee (and other pollinator) friendly garden.
The Xerces Society– a nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat.