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Ringed Emerald - Somatochlora albicincta
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
The Ringed Emerald is currently ranked S1S3 as a "potential species of concern" in Montana because it is potentially at risk of extirpation in the state, due to limited and/or declining numbers, range and/or habitat, even though it may be abundant in some areas.
General Description
This emerald of northern states and western Montana is rarely seen and very few records have been reported. Very little is known of the ecology, abundance or distribution of this species in Montana, therefore we placed it on the PSOC list. The habitat of the Ringed Emerald includes lakes of all sizes, often with little vegetation, including and boggy and fen ponds, as well as slow-flowing streams.
Diagnostic Characteristics
Thorax brassy green with only one pale anterior lateral stripe which is short and diamond shaped. Pale rings occurs between all abdominal segments.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
Ringed Emeralds are widespread across northern Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland, North West Territories, Ontario, Quebec, Yukon; and the northern United States: New Hampshire, Maine south to New York in the east, and south to Montana and N. California in the west. Ringed Emeralds are usually encountered at higher latitudes or at higher elevations at lower latitudes. In Montana, found in the western Middle Rockies forested region of the state.
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 22
(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version)
Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
The habitat of the Ringed Emerald includes lakes of all sizes, often with little vegetation, including and boggy and fen ponds, as well as slow-flowing streams (Dunkle 2000, Paulson 2009).
National Vegetation Classification System Groups Associated with this Species
Wetland and Riparian
Alkaline - Saline Wetlands
Alpine Riparian and Wetland
Peatland
Riparian and Wetland Forest
Riparian Shrubland
Wet Meadow and Marsh
Food Habits
Larvae feed on a wide variety of aquatic insects, such as mosquito larvae, other aquatic fly larvae, mayfly larvae, and freshwater shrimp. They will also eat very small fish and tadpoles.
Adult- The dragonfly will eat almost any soft-bodied flying insect including mosquitoes, flies, small moths, mayflies, and flying ants or termites.
Reproductive Characteristics
Male Ringed Emeralds patrol slowly over open water and along shorelines usually near the waterline with periodic hovering. Females oviposit into open water or near shore with single taps to the water with their abdomen, often reversing direction to stay in a preferred area (Dunkle 2000, Paulson 2009).
Stewardship Responsibility
References
- Additional ReferencesLegend:
View Online Publication
Do you know of a citation we're missing?- Dunkle, S.W. 2000. Dragonflies through binoculars: A field guide to dragonflies of North America. New York, NY. Oxford University Press. 266 pp.
Miller, G. S., Jr. 1896. Genera and subgenera of voles and lemmings. N. Amer. Fauna 12. 84 pp.- Paulson, D.R. 2009. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West. Princeton University Press, Princeton. 535 pp.
- Web Search Engines for Articles on "Ringed Emerald"
- Additional Sources of Information Related to "Insects"
