NC Odonate Website

Related Species in CORDULIIDAE:		Number of records for 2024 = 11
Added in 2024-00-00 from a previous year = 1 (2023-10-27)

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Fine-lined Emerald (Somatochlora filosa) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Mocha Emerald Clamp-tipped Emerald Treetop Emerald
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Note: identification tips depicted for mature males and females.

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Map

Click on county for list of all its records for Fine-lined Emerald

Flight Charts

Distribution

Throughout the Coastal Plain, with records for nearly every county in the province, even along the coast. Occurs along the Fall Line in the extreme eastern Piedmont, and there is a collection record from far inland Burke County (mis-identified?).

Abundance

Fairly common and widespread in much of the Coastal Plain; probably uncommon in some areas closer to the Piedmont. It is one of the few dragonflies that is more numerous in the lower Coastal Plain than in the upper part of this province. It is very rare in the eastern Piedmont. According to Roble and Cuyler (1998), "Cuyler found that this species is common and widespread in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina, including the Dismal Swamp area."

Flight

Late June to mid-November, being one of the few dragonflies whose main flight is the fall season, where it often peaks in September or even into October. Interestingly, the three records from the Piedmont/foothills are from late July to late August, and not in the fall season at all.

Habitat

Both Dunkle (2000) and Beaton (2007) indicate that the breeding habitat is unknown, but suggest swamps, seeps, and other slow-moving waters in forested areas. This seems correct for NC, as it is often found near forested, swampy habitats, as opposed to flowing waters of riverine/creekside habitats or wide open waters of lakes and ponds.

Behavior

As with most emeralds, adults forage widely away from water, such as along forest edges and along roads and wide trails. They often fly quite high (over 10-20 feet), but occasionally they can be observed as they perch on a twig, at times within a few feet of the ground.

Comments

This species can be numerous in the fall season near swampy woodlands and forested margins near wetlands, though finding one perched within easy viewing or photographing can be a challenge. Often the best way to see one is to net the dragonfly as it flies by, frequently over one's head. The "fine lines" on the side of the thorax, which give the species its common name, are not easily seen. Most other emeralds have more distinct thorax stripes/lines, whereas the numerous Mocha Emerald is solid-colored on the sides of the thorax.

State Rank

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Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-16 11:41:13

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Fine-lined Emerald 22 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Carteret, 2024-11-02, northeast of Beaufort - 1:38PM; Catching insects in forested edge of pond		Photo 2 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2024-09-28, 2 miles SE of Clarkton - 2PM Foraging/eating mosquitoes in clearing adjacent to swamp
	Photo 3 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2024-09-25, my property, Holly Ridge - foraging over my front yard		Photo 4 by: Lucas Wilson Comment: Scotland, 2024-06-17, - Female foraging over firebreak of unit 18A off of Scotland Lake Ln. Identified by long, slender abdomen and dark marks at pterostigma.
	Photo 5 by: Lucas Wilson Comment: Scotland, 2024-06-17, - Female foraging over firebreak of unit 18A off of Scotland Lake Ln. Identified by long, slender abdomen and dark marks at pterostigma.		Photo 6 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2023-10-27, Mixed hardwood swamp 2 miles SE of Clarkton, NC - 2:38PM along creek at edge of swamp
	Photo 7 by: Audrey Whitlock Comment: Dare; Mainland, 2023-09-17, Alligator River NWR; iNaturalist Record #184440764		Photo 8 by: Mark Shields Comment: Hoke, 2020-10-18, Sandhills Game Land - male
	Photo 9 by: Mike Turner Comment: Craven, 2018-09-01, Croatan National Forest, powerline ROW at intersection of Catfish Lake Rd. and Little Rd.		Photo 10 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt. Comment: Craven, 2017-10-24, Flanners Beach Campground, Croatan National Forest. - Female. Netted, photographed and released.
	Photo 11 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2017-09-19, Holly Shelter Game Land - several feeding swarms over Lodge Road		Photo 12 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2017-09-10, my property, Holly Ridge
	Photo 13 by: Mark Shields Comment: Columbus, 2016-09-25, Lumber River, between Boardman Boating Access and Piney Island Campsite		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2016-09-24, feeding swarm over my yard at dusk, Holly Ridge
	Photo 15 by: Mark Shields Comment: Carteret, 2016-08-13, along Patsy Pond Nature Trail, Croatan National Forest		Photo 16 by: Alicia Jackson Comment: Brunswick, 2016-07-20, Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point - Shrubby mesic pine flatwoods
	Photo 17 by: Alicia Jackson Comment: Brunswick, 2016-07-20, Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point - Shrubby mesic pine flatwoods		Photo 18 by: Mark Shields Comment: Carteret, 2015-09-15, along Patsy Pond Nature Trail, Croatan National Forest
	Photo 19 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2015-09-04, Holly Ridge; flying back and forth over my yard		Photo 20 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Onslow, 2015-07-28, - Single female netted/photographed in field next door, seen flying with Mocha Emeralds, Swamp Darners, and Common Green Darners
	Photo 21 by: E. Corey, A. Davis, R. Anderson Comment: Bladen, 2008-10-02, Singletary Lake State Park - Found in large araneid webbing, spider had already envenomated her when we got to her. Collected and photographed. - female		Photo 22 by: R Emmitt Comment: Croatan National Forest