Coppery Emerald

Chlorostilbon russatus

Quick Facts

Endemic
  • Scientific Name: Chlorostilbon russatus
  • Spanish Name: Esmeralda bronceada
  • Family: Trochilidae
  • Known Nicknames: Coppery Emerald
  • Average Length: 8–8.5 cm / 3.1–3.3 in
  • Average Weight: 3.2–3.6 g / 0.11–0.13 oz
  • Wingspan: 10–12 cm / 3.9–4.7 in
  • Key Feature: Brilliant coppery-bronze iridescence on upperparts and tail
  • Primary Diet: Nectarivore and Insectivore
  • Range: Northeast Colombia and Northwest Venezuela (Santa Marta and Perijá Mountains)
  • Habitat: Montane forest edges, shrubby slopes, and open woodland
  • Social Structure: Solitary and Territorial
  • Nesting/Breeding: Small cup nests made of plant fibers and spiderwebs
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC)
  • Population Trend: Stable

The Coppery Emerald (*Somatochlora georgiana*) is a rare and striking dragonfly primarily found patrolling the shaded, spring-fed streams of the southeastern United States. Distinguishing itself from other members of the emerald family, this species trades the typical brilliant green body for a sophisticated, metallic coppery-bronze luster that shimmers with a warm glow. Its most arresting feature is its pair of massive, iridescent emerald-green eyes, which provide a vivid contrast to its slender, brownish-orange abdomen. Known for its elusive behavior, the Coppery Emerald is often seen darting through dense forest undergrowth or hovering over shallow seeps, making it a prized and enchanting sight for naturalists exploring the unique biodiversity of coastal plain wetlands.

Fun Facts

Despite its name, the Coppery Emerald is a crepuscular dragonfly that thrives in the fading light of dusk, using its oversized, light-sensitive emerald eyes to hunt when most other insects have retired for the day. It is a specialized forest dweller, often found patrolling tiny, acidic "muck" streams where females use a unique, spade-like ovipositor to physically jam their eggs into wet soil or moss rather than dropping them in open water. Unlike many dragonflies that hover over ponds, these metallic-bodied fliers are known for their "hanging" behavior, where they spend long periods suspended vertically from twigs in dense shade, using their coppery coloration to blend perfectly into the dappled sunlight of the forest understory.

Habitats & Distribution

This species is primarily distributed across the southeastern United States, with a geographical range extending from eastern Texas eastward through the Gulf Coast and northward along the Atlantic Coastal Plain to New Jersey. It is most frequently encountered in the coastal regions of states such as Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas. Its preferred habitat consists of small, slow-moving woodland streams, shaded forest runs, and boggy seepages. These environments typically feature sandy or mucky substrates and are often characterized by acidic, stained waters found within dense deciduous or mixed forests.

Behaviours & Reproduction

These dragonflies are primarily solitary and exhibit highly territorial behavior, with males patrolling specific stretches of slow-moving coastal streams. They often hover just inches above the water's surface to defend their space from rivals and monitor for potential mates. Unlike social insects, they do not form colonies or cooperative groups, and their interactions are limited to territorial defense or brief reproductive encounters. Mating begins when a male grasps a female to form a tandem link, eventually transitioning into the "wheel" position for sperm transfer. Once fertilized, the female performs a specialized oviposition technique by flying low over shallow, sandy-bottomed seepage areas. She rhythmically taps the tip of her abdomen against the water or moist silt, depositing eggs into the substrate where the larvae will develop in the slow-moving current.

Diet

The Coppery Emerald is an opportunistic carnivore that undergoes a significant dietary shift as it progresses through its life stages. In its aquatic nymphal phase, it is a formidable ambush predator, utilizing a specialized, extendable lower lip to snatch prey such as mosquito larvae, small crustaceans, and other aquatic invertebrates from the sediment of slow-moving streams. Upon emerging as an adult, this dragonfly becomes a highly skilled aerial hunter, preying on a wide variety of flying insects including gnats, flies, and mosquitoes. An intriguing feature of its feeding behavior is the use of its legs to form a basket-like structure while in flight, allowing it to scoop up and secure prey mid-air with incredible speed and precision. Because of their high metabolic demands, these dragonflies are nearly constant hunters, often consuming a substantial portion of their own body weight in insects every day to maintain the energy required for their acrobatic flight.

Colors

The Coppery Emerald is characterized by a metallic, brassy-green thorax and a dark abdomen marked with small, yellowish spots along the sides. Its most striking feature is its brilliant, iridescent green eyes, which contrast sharply with the warm coppery luster of its body. This metallic sheen serves as camouflage, helping the dragonfly blend into the dappled light and shifting shadows of its forested wetland habitat.