Yellow-spotted Emerald
Somatochlora flavomaculata
The Yellow-spotted Emerald is a medium-sized dragonfly with a metallic green body and characteristic yellow spots along the sides of its abdomen. It primarily inhabits nutrient-poor, well-vegetated standing waters such as fens, marshes, and reed beds. Unlike other emerald species, males often fly at lower altitudes and frequently perch within the riparian vegetation. The larvae develop over a period of two to three years in the muddy substrates of shallow water zones.
Details
Identification
Metallic green body, yellow spots on abdominal segments S2 to S8, yellow spots on the frons, no yellow rings at the segment boundaries.
Social behavior
Males are territorial and patrol within territories over the vegetation.
Diet
Predatory; larvae feed on aquatic insects and small crustaceans, adults hunt flying insects such as mosquitoes and flies.
Hunting strategy
Aerial hunters (adults) and ambush predators (larvae).
Spawning substrate
Muddy substrate, sphagnum mosses, or shallow water zones with dense vegetation.
Overwintering
Overwintering as larvae in the aquatic mud.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important predator in aquatic food webs and consumer of small insects.
Natural predators
Birds (e.g., Hobby), larger dragonflies, frogs, fish (for larvae).
Competitor species
Brilliant Emerald (Somatochlora metallica), Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea).
Ecosystem service
Natural pest control by consuming mosquitoes.
Threats
Drainage of fens, loss of wetlands, eutrophication of water bodies.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
A clear distinguishing feature from other Somatochlora species is the presence of yellow lateral spots on almost all abdominal segments. Somatochlora metallica only has small yellow spots at the base. The frons bears two yellow spots, and the male's abdomen is distinctly waisted at segment 3.
Role in food web
Important predator in the benthic zone of shallow water ecosystems and as an adult in terrestrial edge habitats.
Protection & threats
Main threats
Drainage of wetlands, eutrophication due to nutrient input, succession (scrub encroachment) of transition zones, and climate change (drying out of larval habitats).
Population trend
Overall stable in Germany, but regionally threatened (e.g., in areas with heavy bog drainage).
Conservation measures
Preservation and rewetting of bogs and sedge fens, promotion of buffer zones to reduce nutrient input, removal of scrub from transition zones.