American Emerald - Cordulia shurtleffii

Ringed Emerald?

Tom,

Those terminals don't look to me like S. albicincta, which are squared off and often meet (and curl up sharply) at the apex. You got a better shot of them? Why isn't this Cordulia?

… Bryan Pfeiffer, 16 July, 2006 - 5:40am

American Emerald

That would probably make the most sense. It just looked too big for a Cordulia. They must eat good up in those western mountains. This was the only picture I got. They wouldn't let me get much closer than 10 feet.
Brian, thanks for straightening this out.

… tom murray, 16 July, 2006 - 9:54am

Ringed Emerald?

According to Kathy Biggs' site, there's also Somatochlora albicincta, the Ringed Emerald. It's said to be only seen a few times in California, but the distribution map shows Plumas County (Sierra County's neighbor to the north) as having at least one confirmed record.

They're faint, but I think I see the white rings at the edge of each abdominal segment that characterize Somatochlora albicincta.

… Chuck Entz, 15 July, 2006 - 11:15pm

Somatochlora albicincta

That looks like the best fit. The terminal appendages are right, the metallic green thorax, and the faint white rings look good. Thanks Chuck!!

… tom murray, 15 July, 2006 - 11:34pm

Hey Tom

What does the Dragonfly book list?

… Tony-2, 15 July, 2006 - 10:16pm

Here's a website

(1) that lists California Emeralds, and the only ones are American, Ringed, and Mountain.
It doesn't look like American, and I don't see any white rings on the abdomen, but I'm not sure if the terminal appendages are right for Mountain.

… tom murray, 15 July, 2006 - 10:59pm

You missed the point

You mentioned Butterflies through binoculars, and Tony was thoughtfully (NOT) calling it to your attention :)

… Chuck Entz, 15 July, 2006 - 11:18pm

Now I get it:-(

I've been at the computer too long tonight.

… tom murray, 15 July, 2006 - 11:30pm

I apologize.

I wasn't challenging your ID and did not expect any extra work on your part; thought you would simply edit "Butterflies".

… Tony-2, 16 July, 2006 - 8:29am

no need to apologize

When I realized what I did, I just laughed at myself:-)

… tom murray, 16 July, 2006 - 9:56am