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Striped Emeralds

Striped Emeralds

genus: Somatochlora

Striped Emeralds

Twenty six of these beauties occur in North America.  They are large in size, most are of a  dark brown base with metallic green or yellow markings on the thorax that fade with age.   Wings are hyaline.  Eyes are a brilliant emerald green. 

This is the largest genus of Corduiids.  It is also one of the best known. Many are similar in appearance and separating them by size, patterning of pale spots and stripes on the lateral thorax along with visually examining the male terminal appendages can be the only key to identification.

This genus rarely stays still long enough for anyone to get a good look at them.  They are high fliers and are in and out of shaded areas for a good portion of the day.   If your fortunate to see one perched, they hang vertically high in tree cover.  When observed from afar they look like little silouttes in the sky.

Striped Emeralds inhabit mossy sedge fens, bogs, marshes and shady forest streams. 

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