Somatochlora brevicincta

Adult males resemble Somatochlora albicincta but have curved rather than bent hamule. Adult females have subgenital plate equal in length to ninth abdominal segment and not notched (vs. notched in S. albicincta). Distinguished from Delicate, Muskeg, and Whitehouse's Emeralds by absence of brown coloration at wing base. Among Hudsonian and Ringed Emeralds, has less distinct abdominal rings. Larvae identified by triangular head, seven-segmented antennae, and triangular epipropt slightly larger than cerci.

Specialist of weakly minerotrophic wetlands. Prefers lentic bodies of water within and bordering bogs, specifically fens and heaths with water-suspended or water-saturated Sphagnum moss and graminaceous emergents. Avoids open, firm-edged secondary ponds of bogs. Breeds in small water-filled hollows (flarks) with sedges, rushes, and mosses. Larvae inhabit shallower water with leaf litter.

Transcontinental across boreal North America. Found in Quebec (type locality: Lake Mistassini region), Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, British Columbia (as far northwest as Willison Lake), and Maine (Piscataquis County). Recently discovered in Minnesota. Rarely found below 45°N latitude. Scattered breeding populations in United States with few confirmed sites.

Predatory in all life stages. Nymphs prey on other insect larvae, tadpoles, and small fish. Adults are indiscriminate feeders of flying insects including mosquitoes, midges, and smaller dragonflies.

Incomplete metamorphosis with egg, nymph, and adult stages. Eggs laid epiphytically on vegetation (e.g., moss) at or above water surface. Females oviposit unaccompanied, skimming water surface and rapidly tapping with abdomen tip. Nymph stage duration unknown; nymphs undergo series of moults as they grow. Specific larval development period and adult lifespan not documented.

Females oviposit solitarily without male accompaniment. As typical for genus Somatochlora, mating likely occurs in tree tops for prolonged periods, though this has not been directly observed for this species.

Apex predator in bog pool microhabitats as both nymph and adult. Functions as indicator species for intact, weakly minerotrophic peatland ecosystems.

Conservation concern due to habitat specificity and rarity. Subject to status assessments by NatureServe and Canadian Species at Risk. Vulnerable to peat mining and hydrological alteration of patterned peatlands. Designated species of special concern in Maine (2022).

• Somatochlora albicinctaAdult males similar but S. brevicincta has curved rather than bent hamule; females differ in subgenital plate shape (notched vs. not notched)
• Somatochlora franklini (Delicate Emerald)S. brevicincta lacks brown coloration at wing base present in Delicate Emerald
• Somatochlora septentrionalis (Muskeg Emerald)S. brevicincta lacks brown coloration at wing base present in Muskeg Emerald
• Somatochlora whitehousei (Whitehouse's Emerald)S. brevicincta lacks brown coloration at wing base present in Whitehouse's Emerald
• Somatochlora hudsonica (Hudsonian Emerald)S. brevicincta has less distinct abdominal rings
• Somatochlora incurvata (Incurvate Emerald)S. brevicincta has less distinct abdominal rings

• dragonfly
• emerald
• bog specialist
• peatland
• rare
• conservation concern
• subarctic
• boreal

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• What the Fossil Record Tells Us About Insect Extinctions in Deep Time
• Beauties in the Bog - Buglife Blog - Buglife
• The ubiquitous tiger beetle | Beetles In The Bush