Somatochlora alpestris

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Somatochlora alpestris
Somatochlora alpestris 01.jpg
A male in French Alps
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Corduliidae
Genus: Somatochlora
Species:
S. alpestris
Binomial name
Somatochlora alpestris
(Selys, 1840)
Synonyms [3]
  • Cordulia alpestris Selys, 1840

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. [4]

Contents

Anatomy

Portrait Somatochlora alpestris 02.jpg
Portrait

Adults reach up to 5 cm (2.0 in) in length and appear black from the distance, but dark green metallic sheen is apparent from up close. When at rest, the characteristic narrow white band between 2nd and 3rd abdominal segments is also noticeable. Other members of the genus Somatochlora also share these characters, especially the northern emerald (S. arctica) and the treeline emerald (S. sahlbergi); although, the latter lives far north and its range doesn't overlap the alpine. The northern emerald has olive-green eyes (compared with azure in the alpine emerald) and less contrasting white band, but closer examination of anatomical characters, especially on the legs, is necessary for reliable determination. [5]

Habitat and distribution

The species inhabits cold arctic and montane areas, where it breeds in acidic bogs. The nymphs are able to survive short-term freezing and complete desiccation of their water body, while the adults are sensitive to low temperatures and snowfall in mid-summer when they are active. In Central Europe, Somatochlora alpestris is widespread in the Alps, the Tatra Mountains, and the Carpathian Mountains, roughly between 800 and 2,500 m (2,620 and 8,200 ft) a.s.l. Its Asian distribution is poorly known. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern emerald</span> Species of dragonfly

The northern emerald is a middle-sized species of dragonfly first described by Johan Wilhelm Zetterstedt in 1840. The male can be recognised by its pincer-like appendages and its narrow-waisted body. The female has distinctive orange-yellow spots on (only) the third segment of the abdomen.

<i>Somatochlora</i> Genus of dragonflies

Somatochlora, or the striped emeralds, is a genus of dragonflies in the family Corduliidae with 42 described species found across the Northern Hemisphere.

<i>Somatochlora brevicincta</i> Species of dragonfly

The Quebec Emerald or Robert's Emerald is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is one of 42 species in the genus Somatochlora found in the Northern Hemisphere. It is one of the rarest members of the Odonata to be found in Canada and one of the most recently described. Adrien Robert, a Canadian entomologist, Cleric of Saint Viator, and professor at the University of Montreal, first described S. brevicincta in 1954.

<i>Somatochlora sahlbergi</i> Species of dragonfly

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.

<i>Chalcolestes viridis</i> Species of damselfly

Chalcolestes viridis, formerly Lestes viridis, is a damselfly of the family Lestidae. It has a metallic green body and at rest it holds its wings away from its body. Its common name is the willow emerald damselfly, the green emerald damselfly, or the western willow spreadwing. It has an elongated abdomen and pale brown spots on its wings and resides in areas of still water with overhanging trees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brilliant emerald</span> Species of 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.

<i>Somatochlora flavomaculata</i> Species of dragonfly

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.

<i>Somatochlora elongata</i> Species of dragonfly

Somatochlora elongata, the ski-tipped emerald or ski-tailed emerald, is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Somatochlora albicincta</i> Species of dragonfly

Somatochlora albicincta, the ringed emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Somatochlora filosa</i> Species of dragonfly

Somatochlora filosa, the fine-lined emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Somatochlora franklini</i> Species of dragonfly

Somatochlora franklini, the delicate emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Somatochlora hudsonica</i> Species of dragonfly

Somatochlora hudsonica, the Hudsonian emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Somatochlora walshii</i> Species of dragonfly

Somatochlora walshii, the brush-tipped emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Somatochlora tenebrosa</i> Species of dragonfly

Somatochlora tenebrosa, the clamp-tipped emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Somatochlora cingulata</i> Species of dragonfly

Somatochlora cingulata, the lake emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Somatochlora semicircularis</i> Species of dragonfly

Somatochlora semicircularis, the mountain emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Somatochlora linearis</i> Species of dragonfly

Somatochlora linearis, the mocha emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Somatochlora forcipata</i> Species of dragonfly

Somatochlora forcipata, the forcipate emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Somatochlora septentrionalis</i> Species of dragonfly

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.

<i>Somatochlora graeseri</i> Species of dragonfly

Somatochlora graeseri is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in Asia, where it occurs in Japan, Korea, northern China, and Russia.

References

  1. Boudot, J.-P. (2020). "Somatochlora alpestris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T165462A140526212. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T165462A140526212.en . Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  2. Billqvist, M.; De Knijf, G.; van Grunsven, R.H.A.; Prunier, F.; Vinko, D. (2024). "Somatochlora alpestris (Europe assessment)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2024: e.T165462A208830684. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  3. Paulson, D.; Schorr, M.; Abbott, J.; Bota-Sierra, C.; Deliry, C.; Dijkstra, K.-D.; Lozano, F. (2023). "World Odonata List". OdonataCentral, University of Alabama . Retrieved 14 Mar 2023.
  4. 1 2 Boudot, Jean-Pierre; Kalkman, Vincent J., eds. (2015). Atlas of the European dragonflies and damselflies. Netherlands: KNNV Publishing. pp. 236–237. ISBN   978-90-5011-4806.
  5. Dijkstra K.-D. B. (2006). Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe. Gillingham: British Wildlife Publishing. p. 232. ISBN   0-9531399-4-8.