Striped Emeralds

Somatochlora

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Anisoptera
Family: Corduliidae
Genus: Somatochlora

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Somatochlora: /səˈmætəˌklɔrə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Somatochlora dido by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Somatochlora sahlbergi by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Somatochlora cingulata by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Somatochlora, or striped emeralds, is a diverse genus of dragonflies with 42 described species, predominantly located in the Northern Hemisphere, characterized by their metallic green bodies and distinct morphological features.

Physical Characteristics

Medium-sized dragonflies with dark bodies and a metallic green lustre. Brilliant green eyes; many species have yellow markings on the thorax and/or abdomen. Males have bulbous-shaped first two abdominal segments, a constricted third segment, and a club-shaped abdomen with a straight ending. Females have abdomens with straighter sides. Cerci and subgenital plates are distinctive in each species.

Identification Tips

Identification can be difficult; key features include the distinct shape of male cerci and the structure of female subgenital plates.

Habitat

Larvae live in bogs, fens, forest streams, and some species in lakes. They do not occur in marshy ponds.

Distribution

Found in the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, and North America, extending into arctic regions and south to Spain, Turkey, northern India, northern Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Southern United States.

Diet

Adults feed in flight on smaller flying insects.

Life Cycle

Larvae live in specific aquatic habitats and are often rare and localized. Adults may be found at distances from breeding habitats in mixed swarms.

Reproduction

Some female species possess a large projecting subgenital plate used as a pseudo-ovipositor for egg insertion into substrates.

Evolution

The genus Somatochlora is derived from Greek terms meaning 'body' and 'green.' It was previously classified with Corduliochlora borisi as part of this genus.