Somatochlora alpestris
A male in French Alps
Scientific classification Edit this classification
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[1]
  • 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.[2]

Anatomy

Portrait

Adults reach up to 5 cm 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.[3]

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 a.s.l. Its Asian distribution is poorly known.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. 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.
  3. ↑ 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.


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