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Photo#212155
Emerald ID request - Somatochlora - female

Emerald ID request - Somatochlora - Female
Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, USA
August 9, 2008
Size: 2 1/2" - 3"
I believe this is either a male Ski-tipped or Williamson's Emerald. I unfortunately do not have a lateral view of the terminal appendages. Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Michelle

Kennedy's Emerald?
Nick is absolutely right. This is certainly a female. A male would have an epiproct visible. Those orange spots on S3 are pretty noticeable, and I was thinking Kennedy's, but now I'm not so sure. Any possibility it's Clamp-tipped? Perhaps Denis Doucet can comment.

 
Clamp-tipped is certainly plausible...
I will compare this image with the all the female specimens I have in Somatochlora at home. We may be able to narrow this further one down by other clues than the ones in the keys, but will need to be careful. In the meanwhile, I am in the process of posting several more closeups of the terminalia of Somatochlora species (including females) with which you can compare too. The shape the tail and its terminalia here, as well as the apparent overall shape/size and absence of dark areas at the base of the hind wings certainly eliminate a number of possibilities. For example, I do not believe this is S walshii, incurvata, franklini or minor for those reasons, but other larger Somatochloras will have to be eliminated one by one by other means if possible. A quick scan of other images of females in bug guide has also lead me to believe that there are presently some errors in the females, especially in Clamp-tipped vs Williamsons. I will try to address those individually too. At the present time, as Ben suggests, this is most likely Clamp-tipped, but cannot eliminate Williamson's or S elongata yet.

Moved
Moved from Dragonflies.

Female
I'm not sure what species it is, but it looks like a female to me, rather than a male. The anterior lateral thoracic stripe certainly looks good for a Williamson's, but you should be able to see the female's prominent ovipositor, even at this angle. I'm not familiar enough with Somatochlora to help out any further.

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