Forcipate emerald

Somatochlora forcipata

Species Type: invertebrate

Conservation Status: special concern

IDENTIFICATION

Ranging in size from 1.9”-2.0”, the forcipate emerald has lateral yellow oval markings on the thorax. The abdomen is slender with lateral yellow markings. Females are stockier and have a pale yellow ovipositor.

Distribution & Habitat

This species is only known to occur in one location in Sussex County. The habitat where they are found in New Jersey consists of sphagnum swamps and marshes with small streams flowing through them. Their full range is north to the Canadian Maritimes, west to Alberta and south to West Virginia.

Diet

Nymphs feed on a wide variety of aquatic insects, small fish, and tadpoles. Adults feed in flight on small flying insects such as flies and mosquitoes.

Life Cycle

Range-wide, the forcipate emerald flies from late May to late August. But in New Jersey, it has only been reported in late August.

Current Threats, Status, and Conservation

The forcipate emerald is considered a species of Special Concern in New Jersey.

References

Text derived from the book, Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Jersey. 2009. By Allen E. Barlow and Jim Bangma.

Edited and updated by Larissa Smith in 2011.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Corduliidae
Genus: Somatochlora
Species: S. forcipata