About Somatochlora flavomaculata (Vander Linden, 1825)
Scientific name: Somatochlora flavomaculata (Vander Linden, 1825)
Identification Among other dragonfly species that are metallic green, this species can be distinguished by the yellow spots present on its thorax and abdomen. Females of this species have the largest spots, and spots are brighter in color on younger individual specimens. As an individual ages, the spots on its abdomen grow darker, and may eventually become almost completely invisible. This species is visually similar to Somatochlora metallica, also called the brilliant emerald; however, S. flavomaculata has more yellow on the top of its abdomen, with yellow color extending down the abdomen's sides. S. flavomaculata is also smaller in size than S. metallica.
Distribution Somatochlora flavomaculata is commonly found in wetlands across continental Europe, and its range extends from northern France through to Siberia and Mongolia. The species was first recorded in the United Kingdom in 2018 at Carlton and Oulton Marshes, where it was found by wildlife photographer Andrew Easton. Easton asked Twitter users for help to identify the species. Although this species is not known to travel long distances, it may have been carried to the UK by easterly winds during spring and summer. This species has been used as an indicator of species richness in the boreal forests of central Sweden.
