David Element's Wildlife Web Page Dragonflies and Damselflies 9

David Element

Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images

_________________________________________________Dragonflies and Damselflies 9 – Brilliant Emeralds

BRILLIANT EMERALD DRAGONFLY Somatochlora metallica (m)

The Brilliant Emerald Dragonfly Somatochlora metallica is a beautiful metallic green dragonfly with a strange distribution. There are two entirely separate ranges in southeast England and the Highlands of Scotland. Brilliant Emeralds are difficult to photograph as they have a tendency to roost in inaccessible or well camouflaged locations, typically settling on pine or heather and as the photographer has not had any opportunity to photograph one for a number of years, he has been restricted to illustrating this species with an old, scanned transparency. If new material is obtained it will be substituted – this is certainly an ambition as they are beautiful insects! In the south this dragonfly is most likely to be confused with the very similar Downy Emerald Dragonfly Cordulia aenea is generally a brighter, shinier green. In Scotland there is further possible confusion with the Northern Emerald Dragonfly Somatochlora arctica (not illustrated).