| Somatochlora ensigera | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
| Family: | Corduliidae |
| Genus: | Somatochlora |
| Species: | S. ensigera |
| Binomial name | |
| Somatochlora ensigera Martin, 1906 | |
| Synonyms | |
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Somatochlora ensigera, the plains emerald, is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in central North America.
Like other species in the genus Somatochlora, S. ensigera is a dark metallic green dragonfly with clear wings. There are bold yellow spots on the side of the thorax. [3] The male cerci are distinctively shaped when compared to related species. [3] Individuals measure about 50 mm (2.0 in) in length. [3]
Somatochlora ensigera was first scientifically described in 1906 by French entomologist René Martin, based on a female specimen from Montana. [4] In a 1907 publication, sent to press before the previous description had been published, American entomologist Edward Bruce Williamson described Somatochlora charadraea based on a male specimen from Colorado; this was later determined to be the same species as Somatochlora ensigera [2] [5]
Somatochlora ensigera is found across the northern Great Plains of southern Canada and the northern United States west to Saskatchewan, Wyoming, and Colorado, with rare occurrences in the eastern Midwest and Southern Ontario. [3]
Somatochlora ensigera breeds in slow-flowing streams and small rivers that have pools and riffles. These habitats are typically wooded in the east, and in open areas but lined with a band of riparian shrubs and trees in the west. [3] Males fly low along streams with occasional hovering. Females lay eggs in clay or gravel near or in water, beginning in the early morning. Both sexes will perch on vegetation along the streamside. [3] Adults fly from June to September. [3]
The IUCN conservation status of Somatochlora ensigera is least concern, with no immediate threat to the species' survival. [1]
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.
Somatochlora, or the striped emeralds, is a genus of dragonflies in the family Corduliidae with 42 described species found across the Northern Hemisphere.
Boyeria is a genus of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae, commonly called spotted darners. They occur in temperate North America and Eurasia.
Ischnura is a genus of damselflies known as forktails in the family Coenagrionidae. Forktails are distributed worldwide, including various oceanic islands. The males have a forked projection at the tip of the abdomen which gives the group their common name.
Neoneura is a genus of damselfly in the threadtail family Coenagrionidae. They are found in the Neotropics, from Cuba and Texas to Argentina.
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.
The incurvate emerald is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in Canada and the United States. Its natural habitat is fens.
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.
Sympetrum vicinum, the Yellow-Legged Meadowhawk is one of some fifteen North American species of autumn meadowhawk, which are members of the Odonate family Libellulidae. It grows to 26–35 mm long.
The band-winged meadowhawk is a dragonfly of the genus Sympetrum belonging to the family Libellulidae.
Rambur's forktail is a member of the damselfly family Coenagrionidae. Males are green with blue on abdominal segments 8 and 9. Females are orange-red, olive green, or similar to males in coloration. This is the most widespread New World Ischnura, occurring throughout the Americas from the United States to Chile, as well as Hawaii and the Antilles.
Aeshna canadensis, the Canada darner, is a species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae. It is common throughout southern Canada and the northern United States.
Williamsonia fletcheri, the ebony boghaunter, is a species of dragonfly in the emerald family Corduliidae. It is found in southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States. Larvae occur in acidic bogs.
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.
Macromia tillyardi is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae, known as the Australian cruiser. It is a large, black to metallic green dragonfly with bright yellow markings on its abdomen, clear wings and long legs. It is found in northern Australia, where it inhabits streams and pools.
Macromia alleghaniensis, the Allegheny river cruiser, is a species of cruiser in the dragonfly family Macromiidae. It is often confused with Macromia illinoiensis, the Swift river cruiser. It can be found in the United States, particularly in the central Southeastern part of the country.
Somatochlora williamsoni, or Williamson's emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
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.
Somatochlora viridiaenea is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. The species was described in 1858 by American entomologist Philip Reese Uhler based on a female specimen from Hokkaido, Japan. It has also been recorded on Honshu and in eastern Russia.
Somatochlora uchidai is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is native to Japan, China and Russia. It was described in 1909 by German entomologist Friedrich Förster based on specimens from Japan; the name uchidai refers to the Japanese odonate researcher Uchidas from whom Förster received the specimens.
