Alpine Emerald

Alpine Emerald Somatochlora alpestris

Small, dark and stubby emerald of north. Very dark. Male anal appendages resemble those of Brilliant Emerald, but are even stronger and more curved, the tips cross quite often. Female compact, cigar-shaped and very dark - compare Treeline Emerald.

Relatively common in Lapland, more uncommon towards south. Not found in most of the southern part of the country, but isolated records from Tavastia Proper hint at the species still having unrecorded populations here and there.

Breeds in swamps, bogs, peatmoss ponds.

Flight period: June-August

Male. Abdomen is almost black, with telling white ring at the end of segment 2.

Back to checklist