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Somatochlora kennedyi
Kennedy's Emerald

Walker, 1918
Corduliidae, Emerald Family
photo of Male Kennedy's emerald
Male Kennedy's emerald — Dan Jackson
The medium-sized, dark brown striped emeralds have some pale markings on the thorax and abdomen, black legs, clear wings and brilliant green eyes. The thorax has a metallic bronze-green sheen and the abdomen is dark metallic black-green. Most species are uncommonly seen, but this may be largely due to their secretive nature. When flying, most species look alike which is why in-hand identifications of their anatomical features are often needed.
Status-Global/State:
Global: G5 Wisconsin: S3
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Varying from 1.9 to 2.2 inches in length, this dark emerald has no distinctive pale markings like other emeralds. It has an obscure anterior lateral thoracic stripe and possible tiny spots on base of segements of the abdomen. Kennedy's emerald is more robust than the delicate emerald. forcipate emerald and incurvate emerald have more pale markings.
Description of Habitat/Range:
This species is commonly found throughout Canada and northeastern United States. It prefers boreal swamps, shaded bog ponds, shallow bogs, and slow open streams in bogs or marshes. In Wisconsin, it is fairly widespread throughout the northern two-thirds of the state, though it is rarely abundant.
Flight Season:
Late May to late August in Wisconsin.
(Click on photos to enlarge)
photo of Male Kennedy's emerald
Male Kennedy's emerald — Dan Jackson
photo of Male Kennedy's emerald
Male Kennedy's emerald — Dan Jackson
photo of Male Kennedy's emerald
Male Kennedy's emerald — Dan Jackson
photo of Immature male Kennedy's emerald
Immature male Kennedy's emerald — Dan Jackson
photo of Close-up of male Kennedy's emerald thorax
Close-up of male Kennedy's emerald thorax — Dan Jackson
photo of Side (top image) and top view of male Kennedy's emerald cerci
Side (top image) and top view of male Kennedy's emerald cerci — Dan Jackson
photo of Female Kennedy's emerald
Female Kennedy's emerald — Ryan Brady
photo of Side view of female Kennedy's emerald abdomen tip
Side view of female Kennedy's emerald abdomen tip — Dan Jackson
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