Clamp-tipped Emerald
Somatochlora tenebrosa
This record describes Somatochlora tenebrosa (species). Recorded family: Corduliidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Shape of male cerci make for easy ID
Identification notes
Shape of male cerci make for easy ID
Wikipedia reference for Somatochlora tenebrosa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatochlora_tenebrosa.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
- Suborder
- Anisoptera
- Family
- Corduliidae (Emeralds)
- Genus
- Somatochlora (Striped Emeralds)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Shaded streams.
Geographic Range
In United States (AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OK, OH, PA, RI, SC, TX, VA, WI, WV). In Canada (NB, NS, ON, QC).
Seasonal Activity
According to the area: June to September/October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Predatory on others insects.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Discovered by the American entomologist Thomas Say in 1839. The name “tenebrosa” is referring to the dark coloration of the species.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Somatochlora tenebrosa. 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 Clamp-tipped Emerald (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by RS.Bernard , Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Clamp-tipped Emerald
What is Clamp-tipped Emerald?
Clamp-tipped Emerald (Somatochlora tenebrosa) is a species in the family Corduliidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Clamp-tipped Emerald?
Body length: 48-54 mm
How do you identify Clamp-tipped Emerald?
Shape of male cerci make for easy ID
Where is Clamp-tipped Emerald found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Shaded streams. |
| Range | In United States (AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OK, OH, PA, RI, SC, TX, VA, WI, WV). In Canada (NB, NS, ON, QC). |
What does Clamp-tipped Emerald eat?
The diet of the Clamp-tipped Emerald includes Predatory on others insects..
When is Clamp-tipped Emerald active?
Clamp-tipped Emerald: seasonal activity - According to the area: June to September/October..