Dorocordulia libera
(Selys, 1871)
Racket-tailed Emerald
Corduliidae, Emerald Family
Status-Global/State:
Distinguishing Characteristics:
The racket-tailed emerald is more slender and fragile-looking than most other emeralds. The length of the body averages about 1.1 inches. They have a metallic green thorax with brown hairs, black legs, and clear wings. The eyes are metallic green, seemly luminous. The abdomen is thinly haired bronze-green. Its black abdomen is almost shaped like a spatula with a narrow tip.
Description of Habitat/Range:
It is commonly found throughout northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. It prefers ponds, lake coves, bogs, and bog-edged slow streams. In Wisconsin, it is fairly common throughout most of the states.
Flight Season:
Late May to late August in Wisconsin.
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
<1%
(1)
(1)
4%
(32)
(32)
62%
(481)
(481)
32%
(250)
(250)
2%
(12)
(12)
<1%
(1)
(1)
Shading illustrates monthly percentages of the total flight season records for the species.
Each flight season record is a unique date/location/observer combination where one or more adult or an
exuvia was recorded (excludes nymphs). The actual number of flight season records for each month is shown
in parentheses.
Flight seasons begin earlier in the southern part of the state, often by a week or more. Also, flight charts may not be accurate for rare species because of few data available.
Flight seasons begin earlier in the southern part of the state, often by a week or more. Also, flight charts may not be accurate for rare species because of few data available.
(Click on photos to enlarge)
Male racket-tailed emerald. © Dan Jackson
Male racket-tailed emerald. © Dan Jackson
Close-up of male racket-tailed emerald thorax. © Dan Jackson
Side (top image) and top view of cercus for male racket-tailed emerald. © Dan Jackson
Female racket-tailed emerald. © Dan Jackson
Female racket-tailed emerald. © Jim Lind
Immature female racket-tailed emerald. © Dan Jackson
Immature female racket-tailed emerald. © Dan Jackson