Umber Shadowdragon
Neurocordulia obsoleta
This record describes Neurocordulia obsoleta (species). Recorded family: Corduliidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Brown body, basal brown spot on each wing. Compare Common Baskettail, which has yellow stripes on abdomen. Lovely up close.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
- Suborder
- Anisoptera
- Family
- Corduliidae (Emeralds)
- Genus
- Neurocordulia (Shadowdragons)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Near clear streams, rivers, lakes. Flies in evening and at dawn over riffles in streams or along shores.
Geographic Range
Eastern North America, Maine to northern Florida, Louisiana. Absent from midwest.
Seasonal Activity
April-October in south, mid-summer only in north
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Predatory
Life History
As for other members of this family presumably--little specific information in Dunkle.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Neurocordulia obsoleta. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Odonata includes ~6,000 described species of dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects, reaching 36 mph (58 km/h). They can fly in any direction including backward, and hover in place - each wing operates independently.
Ecological role of the group
Dragonflies predate dinosaurs by nearly 100 million years - fossils date to 325 million years ago. The largest dragonfly ancestor, Meganeuropsis permiana (285 mya), had a 75cm wingspan, enabled by atmospheric oxygen levels of 31-35% compared to today's 21%. Dragonflies have a 95% hunting success rate - the highest of any predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Dragonflies are voracious predators that consume hundreds of mosquitoes daily, providing natural pest control worth millions in reduced mosquito-borne disease risk. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Recorded sources for this group: Natural History Museum London, Britannica, fossil record research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Umber Shadowdragon (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis
Frequently Asked Questions About Umber Shadowdragon
What is Umber Shadowdragon?
Umber Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia obsoleta) is a species in the family Corduliidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Umber Shadowdragon?
Length 4.6 cm
How do you identify Umber Shadowdragon?
Brown body, basal brown spot on each wing. Compare Common Baskettail, which has yellow stripes on abdomen.
Where is Umber Shadowdragon found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Near clear streams, rivers, lakes. Flies in evening and at dawn over riffles in streams or along shores. |
| Range | Eastern North America, Maine to northern Florida, Louisiana. Absent from midwest. |
What does Umber Shadowdragon eat?
The diet of the Umber Shadowdragon includes Predatory.
When is Umber Shadowdragon active?
Umber Shadowdragon: seasonal activity - April-October in south, mid-summer only in north.
What is the life cycle of a Umber Shadowdragon?
As for other members of this family presumably--little specific information in Dunkle.