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Hudsonian Emerald - Somatochlora hudsonica
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
The Hudsonian emerald dragonfly is currently listed as an "S2S4" species of concern in Montana because they are potentially at risk because of limited and/or declining numbers, range and/or habitat, even though it may be abundant in some areas.
General Description
The Hudsonian emerald dragonfly is typical of all emeralds with having brilliant green thoracic stripes and eyes. Dunkle (2000) characterized the habitat of Hudsonian emerald dragonfly as being that of deep, sedge-bordered lakes and ponds, but also as ponds with lake inlets, boggy edges, and sedge marshes. They may also be found at boggy slow streams, ditches, and sloughs. The larvae are found mostly in “mucky” edges of woodland streams and bogs (Needham et al.2000).
Diagnostic Characteristics
Dunkle (2000) characterizes most species as possessing one or two pale lateral stripes or spots on the thorax and brilliant green eyes (can be red in juveniles); thorax often coated with metallic green wax; pale dorsally with a pale ring between S2 and S3.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
The Hudsonian emerald dragonfly can be found in the Hudsonian and Canadian zones from James Bay and northern Ontario to the Alberta Rocky Mountains, and southward along the mountains to southwestern Colorado (Walker 1925). It is common from Alaska to Hudson Bay, but local along the Rocky Mountains to Colorado (Dunkle 2000).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 16
(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
Hudsonian Emeralds prefer sedge-bordered lakes, ponds and marshes, boggy slow streams with pools, lake inlets, as well as ditches and sloughs (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
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.
Ecology
Dunkle (2000) characterized the habitat of Hudsonian emerald dragonfly as being that of deep,
sedge-bordered lakes and ponds, but also as ponds with lake inlets, boggy edges, and sedge marshes. They may also be found at boggy slow streams, ditches, and sloughs. The larvae are found mostly in “mucky” edges of woodland streams and bogs (Needham et al. 2000).
Reproductive Characteristics
Male Hudsonian Emeralds patrol low over the water near banks with periodic hovering. Females oviposit by tapping into the open water with their abdomen (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.
- Paulson, D.R. 2009. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West. Princeton University Press, Princeton. 535 pp.
- Web Search Engines for Articles on "Hudsonian Emerald"
- Additional Sources of Information Related to "Insects"
