Brilliant Emerald (Somatochlora metallica), Finland

Last year I finally got some shots of this beautiful dragonfly, Brilliant Emerald. It has been very hard to get any chances earlier because they really don't tend to land ever. Fortunately it's rather common here so I'm waiting for the next chance to get better shots with cleaner background :). This individual can be identified as female on the basis of its long vulvar scale which is partly visible in the image.
"The Brilliant Emerald is probably the commonest Emerald in Europe. Its range stretches from Northern Scandinavia down to France and Northern Italy. Somatochlora metallica is a medium-sized dragonfly and - in terms of its behaviour - a typical Emerald species; it's a tireless flier and will hardly ever settle down for a rest.The species' distinguishing features include its entirely metallic-green body and the female's exceedingly long vulvar scale, which sits at a 90-degree angle to the abdomen."

http://www.dragonflypix.com/speciespages_fi/somatochlora_metallica.html

comments (10)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Wow, it is certainly deserving of its name, well done!
I'm not really a morning person myself but perhaps an early cold morning is a good time to find them stationary, if you know where to find them at least :) Look on the side of the bushes where the sun last set, the odds are better there. Posted 9 years ago
1. Ari Parviainen
  
  King Cobra
  
  Thanks for the nice comment and a good hint as well fchristant. I'll keep that in mind although as far as I know these like to overnight rather high in the foliage but there has to be some of them lower too. Posted 9 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    One other clue during the day based on my own experience is that they may get spooked easily and flee, yet very often return to the exact same spot. When I chase one away, I never follow it, not even with my eyes. I keep my eyes on where it started, as that is where it often returns. Posted 9 years ago
  2. 1. Ari Parviainen
      
      King Cobra
      
      You are right. I don't usually follow them either because they really return very often to the same branch, leaf or whatever they have been on. Posted 9 years ago

RMFelix

Lion

One of the most beautiful Corduliidae i've ever seen (in photos), wish to see one of this species someday, somehow ;) Nice capture, cheers* Posted 9 years ago
1. Ari Parviainen
  
  King Cobra
  
  Thanks RMFelix. I sure hope you find one or two as well :). According to dragonflypix.com it should occur in Spain but I don't know how common it is there and if it reaches only the north of the country. And it seems that its range doesn't reach Portugal. Posted 9 years ago
2. 1. RMFelix
    
    Lion
    
    Yes, from spanish Pyrenees, that is to say that probably it doesn't reach spain main territory either ;)
    although it has been first discovered (referenced) in 2005 for that region:
    
    http://www.sea-entomologia.org/PDF/BOLETIN_36/B36-041-240.pdf
    
    Somatochlora metallica spacial data distribution:
    http://maps.iucnredlist.org/map.html?id=158705
    
    Thanks a lot, cheers* Posted 9 years ago, modified 9 years ago
  2. 1. Ari Parviainen
      
      King Cobra
      
      Very interesting information and the distribution map behind your second link is really good. I'll take advantage of that site in the future. Thanks so much RMFelix :o) ! Posted 9 years ago

Mark Ridgway

Lion

Beautiful job Ari. Odonata are so awkward to snap. Posted 9 years ago
1. Ari Parviainen
  
  King Cobra
  
  Thanks a lot Mark. At least the large ones which never seem to rest whatsoever have been very challenging to me but I like challenges like that :). Posted 9 years ago

The Brilliant emerald

The brilliant emerald, ''Somatochlora metallica'', is a middle-sized species of dragonfly. It is the largest and greenest of the ''Somatochlora'' species; 50–55 millimetres long.

''S. metallica'' is found across most of northern Eurasia where it is the commonest of its genus. In Great Britain, it is locally common in south east England and has a very restricted population in Scotland.

Info 1 0

Similar species: Dragonflies And Damselflies

Species identified by Ari Parviainen