Taxonomy
Cordulia aenea | Downy Emerald | Smaragaid Umha-dhaite
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Ireland: Endangered
EU: Least Concern
Downy Emerald
is assessed as Endangered based on the small area of occupancy, the restricted number of
locations and the decline in the quality of habitat . Whilst there is no evidence
of decline of the species itself, the future prospects and overall status of the habitats occupied in
Ireland are all bad.
Native status
Native
Species Biology
Identification
Length: 4.8cm
Wingspan: 6.8cm
Both sexes have a similar greenish-bronze metallic colour and they both have hairs covering the thorax and abdomen, hence the name “downy”. They both have clear wings a slight yellow-brown tinge to their wings at the base which become more distinct with age and bright emerald-green eyes that are brown when immature. Both have a metallic green thorax.
Males have a constricted waist, this gives them a club-shaped abdomen which is held slightly higher than their heads when in flight. Their abdomen appears black from a distance but up close is a greenish-bronze metallic colour. Females have a much thicker abdomen throughout which shines metallic green and bronzes with age.
Adult habitat & habits
Males can be quite territorial. One of the very few dragonflies that will fly in overcast weather. Rarely cross open water. After emergence adults normally fly into woodland areas to feed. When landing the Emeralds hang from vegetation rather than perching on it.
Habitat
Preferred breeding areas are small lakes, near woodland, where an abundance of dead plant matter is available in which the larvae thrive.
Flight period
May to July (occasionally April and/or August)
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Very scarce in Ireland. First recorded in Glengarriff Co. Cork in 1978. Has since been recorded in Killarney National Park and Glen Inchiquin, Co. Kerry and in the Connemara, Co. Galway.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2023
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