United States and Canada
This is an uncommon species with brilliant iridescent green eyes, a dark metallic green thorax and two pale lateral stripes. It is the only species in the region with the first stripe interrupted or distinctly angulated medially. The second stripe is wider. Its face is pale in front and metallic blue on top. The wings in young females often become amber apically. The legs are black. The abdomen is dark metallic brown or black with the basal segments marked with 3 pale stripes laterally. There are narrow white basal rings on segments 8-10. The female has a grooved ovipositor.
Size: Total length: 52-69 mm; abdomen: 41-54 mm; hindwing: 35-46 mm.
Similar Species (south-central US): Distinctive pale lateral stripes will differentiate this species from the other striped emeralds in the region.
Habitat: Probably spring-fed seeps and forest streams.
Natural History: This species has been reported from a limited number of counties in Louisiana and Arkansas, but it is only known from a single female in east Texas. This species is typical of the genus, usually seen flying high over paths, trails, and roads in the early morning and late afternoon and evening. Males feed in forest clearings.
Distribution: Southeastern U.S.; New Jersey to Texas.
Source: Abbott, J.C. 2006-2010. OdonataCentral: An online resource for the distribution and identification of Odonata. Available at OdonataCentral.
Edited by Drew Weber (9/24/2015).
