North Carolina's 189 Odonate species
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Related Species in CORDULIIDAE: Number of records for 2025 = 0

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[View PDF]		Mocha Emerald (Somatochlora linearis) by John Petranka, Sally Gewalt
Compare with: Treetop Emerald   Clamp-tipped Emerald   Fine-lined Emerald   American Emerald  
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and females.
Somatochlora_linearis

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Flight Charts
Distribution Throughout the Coastal Plain (even near the coast), and the eastern and central Piedmont. Ranges west to Yadkin and Gaston counties, for certain, and with a sight report west to Burke County. Not known yet from the mountains, despite range maps in reference books that shade in the entire eastern US.
Abundance Uncommon to locally fairly common over much of the Coastal Plain and eastern third of the Piedmont, but uncommon in the central Piedmont. Perhaps uncommon also in the southeastern part of the Coastal Plain. This is generally the most numerous emerald in the Piedmont and is the most numerous emerald in the Coastal Plain during the summer.
Flight Summer and early fall seasons, from early June (and very late May in the Coastal Plain) into late September, and sparingly to mid-October. Not numerous after August.
Habitat Small forested streams; Dunkle (2000) says streams about 1-3 yards wide are preferred.
Behavior The species is most easily seen near small streams that are drying up. Away from streams, this emerald is often seen flying along wooded roads and wide trails, often at head height, back and forth, pausing to hover close to an observer. They spend most of the day perched in shady places, often hidden from an observer.
Comments Emeralds are usually seen in flight along and over forested roads, often at treetop height, and sometimes perching on telephone wires. They seem curious and may hover close to an observer, when the adult's bright green eyes and black thorax and abdomen are noticed. However, identification can be tricky in flight, and normally identification must be made of perched or netted individuals.
State Rank S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-16 11:47:16
Photo Gallery for Mocha Emerald   21 photos are shown. Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 1 by: Jeffrey Pippen, Ava Mackay-Smith

Comment: Orange, 2024-09-23, Bluestem Conservation Cemetery		Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 2 by: Amy Padgett

Comment: Bladen, 2024-08-31, Swamp trail 2 miles SE of Clarkton - 4:58P hanging on a branch over the trail
Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 3 by: Lucas Wilson

Comment: Richmond, 2024-06-25, - Andrews Pond along Pee Dee River		Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 4 by: John Petranka

Comment: Orange, 2022-06-04, NHCBS, Hollow Rock Nature Park, West of Pickett Road, New Hope Creek - Male
Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 5 by: L. Arent

Comment: Durham, 2021-08-05, Horton Grove Nature Preserve		Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 6 by: John Petranka

Comment: Alamance, 2020-07-29, Cedarock Park along Rock Creek. - Male.
Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 7 by: John Petranka

Comment: Orange, 2020-06-28, Falls of New Hope neighborhood community garden. - Teneral Male. Photo unposed.		Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 8 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt

Comment: Orange, 2019-07-26, Blackwood Farm Park. Small sandy tributary feeding the pond. - Males. Perched 2-3 feet above the ground alongside small stream.
Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 9 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt

Comment: Orange, 2019-07-26, Blackwood Farm Park. Small sandy tributary feeding the pond. - Males. Perched 2-3 feet above the ground alongside small stream.		Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 10 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Randolph, 2018-06-25, Haskett Creek @ North Asheboro Park
Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 11 by: Robert Gilson

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2018-06-25 		Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 12 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Brunswick, 2017-08-27, Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve, Winnabow - female
Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 13 by: F. Williams, S. Williams

Comment: Gates, 2017-07-31, Merchants Millpond State Park		Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 14 by: Conrad Wernett, Alyssa Wernett

Comment: Columbus, 2017-05-28, - Lake Waccamaw. One male spotted in underbrush along river below spillway.
Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 15 by: Roger Shaw

Comment: Durham, 2016-08-20, Flat River Impoundment		Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 16 by: John Petranka

Comment: Orange, 2016-07-21, Feeding swarm in sunny residential lawn near intersection of Cedronella Dr. and Charlock Ct., Falls of New Hope neighborhood ca. 5 PM. Flight photo of male.
Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 17 by: Robby Deans

Comment: Beaufort, 2015-07-30, Blounts Creek		Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 18 by: Conrad Wernett

Comment: Onslow, 2015-07-28, - Netted female patrolling neighbors yard.
Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 19 by: George Andrews

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2013-07-08, Beatty Park from 05:30 - 07:30 PM. Skies 60/40 clear/cloud, temp. 85 degrees		Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 20 by: Randy Emmitt

Comment: Caswell, 2003-06-15, Caswell Game Land
Mocha Emerald, Somatochlora linearisPhoto 21 by: George Andrews

Comment: Union, 2013-07-23, Cane Creek Park - Cruising clearings in berry patch, behind prairie restoration site