Northern emerald

The northern emerald (Somatochlora arctica) is a middle-sized species of dragonfly. The male can be recognised by its pincer-like appendages and its narrow-waisted body. The female has distinctive orange-yellow spots on (only) the third segment of the abdomen. This species lives in bogs and lays its eggs in very small water-filled depressions. It hunts between trees and avoids open spaces.

In Great Britain, it is only present in northwestern Scotland and is confined to the southwestern part of Ireland. It is present in all of northern Eurasia. In Western Europe, it is present in Alpine areas and wherever a suitable habitat can be found.