Corduliidae, also knowns as the emeralds, emerald dragonflies, or green-eyed skimmers, is a family of dragonflies. These dragonflies are usually black or dark brown with areas of metallic green or yellow, and most of them have large, emerald-green eyes. The larvae are black, hairy-looking, and usually semiaquatic. This family include species called "baskettails", "emeralds", "sundragons", "shadowdragons", and "boghaunters". They are not uncommon and are found nearly worldwide, but some individual species are quite rare. Hine's emerald dragonfly, for example, is an endangered species in the United States.
The Hine's emerald is an endangered dragonfly species found in the United States and Canada. Populations exist in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Ontario, and Wisconsin. Larvae are found in shallow, flowing water in fens and marshes, and often use crayfish burrows. Major threats to the species include habitat loss and alteration, and the species is legally protected in both the United States and Canada.
Somatochlora, or the striped emeralds, is a genus of dragonflies in the family Corduliidae with 42 described species found across the Northern Hemisphere.
Somatochlora sahlbergi, the treeline emerald, is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found at high latitudes across northern Eurasia and North America, and occurs farther north than any other dragonfly.
The brilliant emerald, Somatochlora metallica, is a middle-sized species of dragonfly. It is the largest and greenest of the Somatochlora species; 50–55 millimetres (2.0–2.2 in) long.
Somatochlora flavomaculata, also called yellow-spotted emerald, is a common species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. Its distribution stretches from France to Siberia and Mongolia. It frequents wetlands in its range. The males are known to defend their territory.
Somatochlora albicincta, the ringed emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora filosa, the fine-lined emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora franklini, the delicate emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora hudsonica, the Hudsonian emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora walshii, the brush-tipped emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora tenebrosa, the clamp-tipped emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora cingulata, the lake emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora semicircularis, the mountain emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora linearis, the mocha emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora forcipata, the forcipate emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora alpestris, or the alpine emerald, is a species of dragonfly from the family Corduliidae. It is found in European highlands, southern Scandinavia, and east to southern Siberia in Asia.
Somatochlora septentrionalis, the muskeg emerald, is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is endemic to Canada, where it is found from Yukon and British Columbia east to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
