Northern Emerald
Somatochlora arctica (Zetterstedt, 1840)
Order Dragonflies (Odonata)
Family Emerald dragonflies (Corduliidae)
Conservation status: in Bulgaria: Critically endangered CR [B1a+2a].
General distribution. From Ireland and Scotland in the west through Northern Europe and Northern Asia to Kamchatka Peninsula and Hokkaido Island in the east. In the south the area is split and includes the mountain ranges of the Pyrenees, the Alps, the Carpathian, Rila Mts. and the Caucasus.
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria. A high mountain species found in the Tiha Rila site near the Rilska River above Rila Monastery (2001) [1] and later also in four localities in Central and Eastern Rila (2005) (unpublished data) at an altitude of 2 000 – 2 100 m. There are no data about its abundance.
Habitats. Peat bogs with densely overgrown water surface (mainly with Carex rostrata or mosses of the genera Sphagnum and Drepanocladus) and depths of 10 to 50 cm [1].
Biology. Adults occur in July and August and are active only in fully lit sections. The males fly over territories with areas of about 5-7 m2. They keep close over the plants and move with a smooth flight. They often hover in the air. Their activity abruptly decreases when a cloud appears and shadows the area they fly over.
Similar species. The species of the genera Somatochlora and Cordulia. Somatochlora arctica differs by its specific colouring of the face and the dark body. The males have anal appendages strongly curved on the apex that make them clearly distinguishable from the other species of the genus.
Negative factors. Shallowing of the free water area of the basin and its overgrowing with peat.
Conservation measures taken. Two of the localities are within the borders of the Rila National Park and the other three are in the Rila Monastery Natural Park.
Conservation measures needed. Maintenance of the structure of the biotope necessary for the development of the species. Monitoring of vegetation growths. Restriction of the entering of domestic and wild animals in the habitat of the species.
References. 1. Marinov, Simov, 2004.
Author: Alexi Popov
