Muskeg emerald facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Muskeg emerald |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Somatochlora
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| Species: |
septentrionalis
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The muskeg emerald (Somatochlora septentrionalis) is a beautiful type of dragonfly. It belongs to the family called Corduliidae. This special dragonfly is found only in Canada. You can spot it from Yukon and British Columbia all the way east to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
What Does the Muskeg Emerald Look Like?
Adult muskeg emeralds are about 39 to 48 millimeters long. That's roughly the length of two quarters lined up! Their bodies are a mix of shiny metallic green, brown, and black. They also have a light yellow spot on their thorax, which is the middle part of their body where the wings and legs are attached.
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female
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male cerci
Where Do Muskeg Emeralds Live?
Muskeg emeralds live in open fens. A fen is a type of wetland, like a swamp or marsh, but it gets its water from groundwater. These dragonflies especially like fens that have open pools of water.
Life in the Fen
Male muskeg emeralds fly back and forth over these water pools. Females lay their eggs by gently tapping the open water or floating plants. Adult muskeg emeralds are usually seen flying around from June to August.
