Corduliidae
Kirby, 1890
emeralds, emerald dragonflies, green-eyed skimmers, baskettails, sundragons, shadowdragons, boghaunters
Genus Guides
7- Cordulia(Common Emerald Dragonflies)
- Dorocordulia(little emeralds)
- Epitheca(Baskettails)
- Helocordulia(sundragons)
- Neurocordulia(shadowdragons)
- Somatochlora(Striped Emeralds)
- Williamsonia(Boghaunters)
is a of commonly known as emeralds or emerald dragonflies, characterized by metallic green or yellow coloration and large emerald-green . The family includes diverse such as baskettails (Epitheca), sundragons (Helocordulia), shadowdragons (Neurocordulia), and boghaunters (Williamsonia). are typically black or dark brown with metallic markings, while larvae are black, hairy-looking, and semiaquatic. The family has a nearly worldwide distribution.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Corduliidae: /kɔrˈduːli.aɪ.iːdeɪ/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
can be distinguished from the more abundant skimmer (Libellulidae) by their brilliant green and, in baskettails, a longer and narrower . The combination of dark body coloration with metallic green or yellow markings is characteristic. Baskettails in hold the tip of the abdomen aloft in a distinctive posture when carrying .
Images
Habitat
Semiaquatic environments including lakes, ponds, rivers, and wetlands. Baskettails favor areas with tangles of floating and emergent plant stems for oviposition.
Distribution
Nearly worldwide distribution. Records include North America (including Vermont and Los Angeles area), Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden), and other regions. Some individual have restricted ranges.
Seasonality
Baskettails tend to fly in spring and early summer, with some exceptions such as the Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps) which has a more extended period.
Life Cycle
Females practice exophytic oviposition, extruding onto a subgenital plate before dragging the through water while flying to deposit strings of eggs suspended in gelatinous fluid. The eggs may form ropes several feet long. Larvae are semiaquatic.
Behavior
Female baskettails have been observed to hold their -laden in a distinctive elevated posture during . Prior to oviposition, females may be seen with the abdomen moving in a slow, rhythmic back-and-forth motion as eggs are extruded. They do not insert eggs singly into vegetation or mud but instead trail egg strings through water.
Human Relevance
Hine's emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana) is an in the United States, highlighting conservation concerns for some members of this .
Similar Taxa
- LibellulidaeSkimmer share similar body plans but typically lack the brilliant green of and have broader ; baskettails specifically differ in having longer, narrower abdomens.
More Details
Oviposition behavior
The "baskettail" refers to the female's of gathering onto a subgenital plate before depositing them, literally putting all eggs in one "basket."