NC Odonate Website

Related Species in CORDULIIDAE:

Number of records for 2026 = 0

PDF has more details,
e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
[View PDF]

Treetop Emerald (Somatochlora provocans) by Nancy Williamson

Compare with: Mocha Emerald Clamp-tipped Emerald Fine-lined Emerald
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
Note: these identification tips apply to both sexes. Female depicted here.

[Google images] [Global Biodiversity Information Facility] iNaturalist

Map

Click on county for list of all its records for Treetop Emerald

Flight Charts

Distribution

Strictly in the western and central Coastal Plain, though possibly in the extreme eastern Piedmont (along the Fall Line). Ranges east only to Chowan, Washington, Beaufort, and Bladen counties; and west to Wake, Lee, Moore, and Richmond counties. Essentially all recent records have been in the Sandhills.

Abundance

Difficult to assess because of its high-flying habits. All references consider it to be a scarce, though not necessarily rare, species. Based on the fact that it has been recorded in NC from 21 counties, it certainly isn't overly rare. Best considered as uncommon and very easily overlooked, within its narrow range in the state -- at least now in the Sandhills. The lack of recent records northeast of the Sandhills is very concerning; however, this is a very poorly studied region by odonate biologists in recent decades. And, the iNaturalist website shows many recent records for the Virginia and Maryland Coastal Plain. Thus, this "hole" in recent records between VA and the NC Sandhills cannot be blamed on a decline in population numbers in the NC Coastal Plain outside of the Sandhills.

Flight

The flight apparently occurs between early June and late August.

Habitat

Small forested seeps and pools, perhaps very small streams.

See also Habitat Account for Wet-Mesic Forests with Seepages/Headwater Streams

Behavior

As the common name implies, this emerald is normally seen in flight, typically over head-height to treetop height, along and over forested roads and clearings. Adults normally perch high on twigs of canopy trees.

Comments

This species is most likely one in which a net is required to verify records. An observer may often see high-flying dragonflies during the summer months along forested roads, especially near swamps and other wetlands. Perhaps a moderate number of these (at least in the Coastal Plain) are Treetop Emeralds, but this is only speculation. Getting a good photograph of a Treetop Emerald in a natural pose requires either much luck, much patience, or a strong telephoto lens!

After just six records over the last 25 years, it may be time to consider tracking records as Significantly Rare, and moving the State Rank upward to S2?. At a minimum, it is recommended to move the State Rank upwards, with S2? being suggested at the present time. Clearly, the species is very difficult to survey for owing to its high-flying habits, but it seems time to begin monitoring it and looking for ways to survey for this quite striking species. However, the N.C. Natural Heritage Program kept the species at S3? in its 2022 Rare Animal list.

State Rank

S3? [S2?]

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2026-03-04 13:15:27

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
Home Page	Search	Odonate Resources	Maps	Login	NC Biodiversity Project	Comments

Photo Gallery for Treetop Emerald 14 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Max Ramey Comment: Scotland, 2025-07-05, South Hoffman Road (34.9612613, -79.5195536) - from pin to 3/4-mile down road - One individual netted and photographed. Feeding over the road in small swarms during the early evening (observed around 6:20-7:20). Mostly fairly high up (>20ft) but some came down lower. Mostly stuck to hunting over the road, but individuals would fly in and out of the surrounding longleaf habitat. 10-12 emeralds were seen on this stretch of road, and most were likely Treetop, but I could not confirm this. One very probable Coppery was also seen with one of these small feeding swarms.		Photo 2 by: Max Ramey Comment: Scotland, 2025-07-05, South Hoffman Road (34.9612613, -79.5195536) - from pin to 3/4-mile down road - One individual netted and photographed. Feeding over the road in small swarms during the early evening (observed around 6:20-7:20). Mostly fairly high up (>20ft) but some came down lower. Mostly stuck to hunting over the road, but individuals would fly in and out of the surrounding longleaf habitat. 10-12 emeralds were seen on this stretch of road, and most were likely Treetop, but I could not confirm this. One very probable Coppery was also seen with one of these small feeding swarms.
	Photo 3 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Richmond; P, 2024-07-01, - one female netted, released		Photo 4 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Richmond; P, 2024-07-01, - one female netted, released
	Photo 5 by: Lucas Wilson Comment: Richmond; P, 2024-06-21, - Diggs Tract, road to boating access. Male. Several more probable S. provocans also seen.		Photo 6 by: Lucas Wilson Comment: Richmond; P, 2024-06-21, - Diggs Tract, road to boating access. Male. Several more probable S. provocans also seen.
	Photo 7 by: N. Williamson Comment: Moore; C, 2017-06-07, Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve		Photo 8 by: N. Williamson Comment: Moore; C, 2017-06-07, Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve - ID confirmed on Bugguide
	Photo 9 by: Scott Hartley Comment: Moore; C, 2005-07-04, female, exposure on photos is too hot. They don't do the bug justice - very beautiful intricate markings on abdomen and first segments.		Photo 10 by: Scott Hartley Comment: Moore; C, 2005-07-04, female, exposure on photos is too hot. They don't do the bug justice - very beautiful intricate markings on abdomen and first segments.
	Photo 11 by: Comment: , 0000-00-00, - Diggs Tract, road to boating access. Male. Several more probable S. provocans also seen.		Photo 12 by: Lucas Wilson Comment: Richmond; P, 2024-06-21, - Diggs Tract, road to boating access. Male. Several more probable S. provocans also seen.
	Photo 13 by: Max Ramey Comment: Richmond; C, 2025-07-05, - One individual netted and photographed. Feeding over the road in small swarms during the early evening (observed around 6:20-7:20). Mostly fairly high up (>20ft) but some came down lower. Mostly stuck to hunting over the road, but individuals would fly in and out of the surrounding longleaf habitat. 10-12 emeralds were seen on this stretch of road, and most were likely Treetop, but I could not confirm this. One very probable Coppery was also seen with one of these small feeding swarms.		Photo 14 by: Max Ramey Comment: Richmond; C, 2025-07-00, Hoffman Road (34.9612613, -79.5195536) - from pin to 3/4-mile down road. One individual netted and photographed. Feeding over the road in small swarms during the early evening (observed around 6:20-7:20). Mostly fairly high up (>20ft) but some came down lower. Mostly stuck to hunting over the road, but individuals would fly in and out of the surrounding longleaf habitat. 10-12 emeralds were seen on this stretch of road, and most were likely Treetop, but I could not confirm this. One very probable Coppery was also seen with one of these small feeding swarms.