105. Northern Emerald – Somatochlora arctica – Uk – European Dragonfly photo
The Northern Emerald ( Somatochlora arctica ) is one of the rarer UK species, confined to lowland boggy areas in Scotland where these photographs were taken in the 1980’s.
KEY I/D FEATURES
The striking green eyes and the glossy dark green body stand out.
Males have Segment 3 of the abdomen pinched to form a narrow waist and the upper appendages are uniquely shaped like pincers or calipers.
Females lack the ‘waist’ but have a yellow ring on S 3 followed by two large yellow spots.