Species account

Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea)    Linnaeus (1758)
   Emeralds (Corduliidae) [Dragonflies]    DOEM    24813
Grøn Smaragdlibel (dk)   Esmeralda Bronceada (es)   Guldtrollslända (se)  
Synonyms (scientific):
Cordulia aenea amurensis Selys, 1887
Cordulia turfosa Förster, 1902
Cordulia laubmanni Glötz, 1923
Cordulia brachycauda Görtier, 1948
Cordulia longicauda Görtier, 1948
Cordulia linaenea Fraser, 1956
Cordulia selysi Belyshev, 1956
Cordulia aeneaturfosa Buchholz, 1967
Measurements:
To 47-55mm Ab 30-39mm Hw 29-35mm
Generations:
Flight period:
JFMAMJJASOND 
SE
EU
Identification:
Similar species:
Life stages:
The mating pair connects in air but retreat to bushes or trees to go through the mating process. The solo flying female then drops the eggs into the water from low height, or by dipping the tip of the abdomen. She produces up to 2000 in small clusters of 10 hold together by a jelly-like substance. The eggs hatch after a few weeks. The larvae live in-between the water plants or at the bottom, and develop during 2-3 years. The imago-transformation takes place on plants near the shore or in bushes or tree at some distance from the water. The emergence often appears to happen as a unified mass-event within few days at each locality.
Distribution:
Most of Europe; absent Iberian peninsula, large parts of British Isles and northern and western Scandinavian peninsula, most of Italy, Greece. Also present patchily Turkey, Caucasus, Ukraine and Russia through Siberia to Kamchatka and Japan. In Denmark present in all regions.
Habitat:
Behavior:
Comment:
2025-04-16: The Queens Birthday and the first observation of the species this year which is very early. Seen in Jylland after several days with good sun and decent temperatures.
Downy Emerald 1253    (2 photos)
2021-06-05    Kongskilde Naturcenter (Suserup), Denmark

Imago Male




Downy Emerald 567    (1 photos)
2021-08-05    Møllekrog (Esrum sø), Denmark

Imago Male




Downy Emerald 1390    (2 photos)
2023-05-15    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago Male
Nordskoven.
Apparently a few are around this year, though I've only seen them as singletons so far. This was holding its tail downward in flight why it looked very exotic, making me hope for something special.



Downy Emerald 1651    (1 photos)
2023-05-18    Søholt Storskov (Maribo), Denmark

Imago Male




Downy Emerald 1441    (1 photos)
2023-05-26    Hedeland (nature trail), Denmark

Imago Male
South side of water holes along Herredsfogedvej.
Downy Emerald 1471    (1 photos)
2023-06-04    Kroglyng (midtsjælland), Denmark

Imago Male




Downy Emerald 1581    (1 photos)
2023-06-07    Hästenäs Kyrkskog (Östergötland), Sweden

Imago Male




Downy Emerald 1732    (1 photos)
2023-07-08    Letmose (Silkeborg), Denmark

Imago Male
Only id'ed from photos, but happily doing so, because it resulted in all four emeralds being registered today.



Downy Emerald 3126    (2 photos)
2025-04-26    Holmegaards mose , Denmark

Imago Male
First of the year. The next day 400+ were reported from here, a known stronghold, but still rather early.

The forked and hooked epiproct [lower appendage] is something I didn't pay attention to before I got this photo.



Downy Emerald 3142    (4 photos)
2025-05-05    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago Male
SHV-lysninger.
Last of the three species to be tested with my net today. There seem to be more aenea this spring on Amager than I have seen the other years.


Hands on Captured
Downy Emerald 1472    (2 photos)
2023-06-04    Kroglyng (midtsjælland), Denmark

Imago Female




Downy Emerald 1534    (2 photos)
2023-06-06    Getå (Norrköping), Sweden

Imago Female
Villa Fridhem. Rocky lookout.



Downy Emerald 1580    (1 photos)
2023-06-07    Valdemarsvik (Östergötland), Sweden

Imago Female




Downy Emerald 2721    (5 photos)
2024-05-28    Amager Fælled, Denmark

Imago Female
DLK øst.
Was lying in the water already dead. As here the characteristic white parts on the underside of the abdomen, especially S3, are obvious.

Photo 3 and 4 showing the split vulvar scale.

Dead
Downy Emerald 2734    (3 photos)
2024-06-04    Amager Fælled, Denmark

Imago Female
DLK øst.
Was egglaying - solo-dumping-in-air-activity.

From a distance I noticed the pale color at the base of the abdomen and for a short while was hoping for a parthenope [Lille Kejserguldsmed]. But of course the size was too small.




Downy Emerald 3129    (2 photos)
2025-04-26    Holmegaards mose , Denmark

Imago Female
First day of the year.
I don't know if folded wings is a common trait of the young aenea, but Billqvist has them the same way in his 2. edition.



Downy Emerald 716    (1 photos)
2022-06-05    Søholt Storskov (Maribo), Denmark

Imago Male & Female
Mating wheel. The shape of the male abdomen which is normally characteristic among the emeralds is not easily recognized here, but the white belly patch of the female is diagnostic.

Unusual for me to see this species away from water and actually sitting still long enough to take good photos.



Downy Emerald 3155    (1 photos)
2025-05-17    Holmegaards Mose, Denmark

Imago Male & Female
Mating wheel. Many animals present out of the wind along the western perimeter of the bog, and a good number of matings seen.