Brilliant emerald

The brilliant emerald, Somatochlora metallica, is a middle-sized species of dragonfly. It is the largest and greenest of the Somatochlora species; 50–55 millimetres (2.0–2.2 in) long.[1]

Brilliant emerald
teneral male
teneral female both Moat Pond, Thursley Common, Surrey
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Suborder:	Anisoptera
Family:	Corduliidae
Genus:	Somatochlora
Species:	S. metallica
Binomial name
Somatochlora metallica (Vander Linden, 1825)

S. metallica is found across most of northern Eurasia where it is the commonest of its genus.[1] In Great Britain, it is locally common in south east England and has a very restricted population in Scotland.[2]

• 
  teneral male
• 
  teneral female
• 
  teneral female

References

1. Dijkstra, Klaas-Douwe B. (2006). Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe. British Wildlife Publishing. ISBN 0-9531399-4-8.
2. "The Brilliant Emerald". British Dragonfly Society.