Williamson's Emerald
Somatochlora williamsoni
This record describes Somatochlora williamsoni (species). Recorded family: Corduliidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
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
Slow shaded streams, lakes and ponds.
Geographic Range
North East of America.
Seasonal Activity
June to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Predatory on others insects.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Discovered by the Canadien odonatologist Edmund Murton Walker in 1907. Named after Edward B. Wiliamson a American odonatologist.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Somatochlora williamsoni. 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 Williamson's Emerald (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by RS.Bernard
Frequently Asked Questions About Williamson's Emerald
How big is Williamson's Emerald?
Body length: 53-59 mm
Where is Williamson's Emerald found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Slow shaded streams, lakes and ponds. |
| Range | North East of America. |
What does Williamson's Emerald eat?
The diet of the Williamson's Emerald includes Predatory on others insects..
When is Williamson's Emerald active?
Williamson's Emerald: seasonal activity - June to September..