Species account

Brilliant Emerald (Somatochlora metallica)    Vander Linden (1825)
   Emeralds (Corduliidae) [Dragonflies]    BREM    24814
Synonyms (scientific):
Somatochlora vera Bartenev, 1914
Somatochlora coreana Doi, 1938
Measurements:
To 50-55mm Ab 37-44mm Hw 34-38mm
Generations:
Flight period:
JFMAMJJASOND 
SE
EU
Identification:
Similar species:
Life stages:
The mating wheel is established in-air, from where the pair seek trees or bushed to complete the mating, which lasts a few minutes. The solo flying female drops the eggs over water or the near shore. They are hold together by a jelly-like substance and hatch during 1-3 months. The larvae live at the bottom in-between water plants or in the mud, and develop during 2-3 years. The imago-transformation takes place near the shore.
Distribution:
Most of Europe; absent most of British Isles, Iberian peninsula and the Mediterranean region. Also present patchily Ukraine and Russia to C Siberia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. In Denmark seen in all regions and most of the larger islands (not Fanø, Ærø and Anholt).
Habitat:
Behavior:
Status (?):NE: Not evaluated
NA: Not applicable
DD: Data deficient
LC: Least concern
NT: Near threatened
VU: Vulnerable
EN: Endangered
CR: Critically endangered
EW: Extinct in the wild
EX: Extinct
LX: Locally extinct
LC(global) VU(eu) VU(EU) LC(dk). Stable and probably expanding in Denmark. Also expanding in Nordic region and decreasing in C Europe, likely due to the climate changes.
Comment:
Brilliant Emerald 1255    (7 photos)
2021-07-03    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago Male
Lillebroen. South end of Ellevehøjvej.

I've recorded three animals in my observations from this day, but arranged the photos of this species into four different animals. I'm not sure what is correct, but at least it looks like the yellow markings on the frons are different on some of the photos justifying more than one animal.

Curiously this is my only observation of the species. Despite of being rather active during 2022 I didn't manage to find it anywhere, and certainly not at this spot, that in general seemed bad compared to 2021.

Photo of the different animals: 1, 2, 3, 4-7.



Brilliant Emerald 1610    (1 photos)
2023-06-20    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago Male
Pumpehus-broen.
Only the second time I have the species on Amager, and at this exact same spot, patrolling just below the bridge. Last time, two years ago, I'm sure there were more than one animal, but today only this one.



Brilliant Emerald 1720    (2 photos)
2023-07-08    Rold Skov (midtjylland), Denmark

Imago Male
Bogs near Skørping.
On the lookout for Northern Emerald [Arktisk Smaragdlibel] it was at first disappointing to find this species perched instead of the Northern. But being my first photos of a perched individual of this species too, I've reconsidered, and am now very pleased!



Brilliant Emerald 2735    (3 photos)
2024-06-04    Ejby Mose (Glostrup), Denmark

Imago Male
Photo 1 and 2 are the same with different levels of brightening.
Not the easiest discipline to identify these flying somatochlora species. I'm not sure, but I think all photos are of the same animal, though 1 and 2 show what looks like a slimer abdomen than seen in photo 3. But the angles are very different why comparison is difficult.

The cigar shaped abdomen and the converging appendages is what makes me call it a metallica. And also: Apparently the wing mark of metallica is paler and more brownish and the leading edge of the 'arm' of the front wing is pale too which is seen well in the first photos. Was flying with this flavomaculata [Plettet Smaragdlibel].



Brilliant Emerald 2817    (7 photos)
2024-06-23    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago Male
Pumpehus-broen, Ellevehøjvej.
History repeating! Third year I have it on Amager, and in the exact same spot as the previous years - deep ever-wet canal lined by reeds. And I've only had it here! It's very possible that it has to do with accessibility, being able to scan from the bridge, as there are other canals and stretches similarly suited, but without easy access.



Brilliant Emerald 3313    (5 photos)
2025-07-19    Jenskær (Silkeborg), Denmark

Imago Female
Egg-laying. Depositing, by swinging.
At the edge of a tussock near the lakeshore. No males around. Continued for several minutes. Interesting to see how it holds the appendages right up in the air under the entire seance. I couldn't see any eggs come out, but also had my trouble balancing at the edge of the water - too deep for my boots.