Downy Emerald
Cordulia aenea
The downy emerald is a species of dragonfly. It is metallic green and bronze in color, and its thorax is coated with fine hairs, hence its name.
47
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) mcamcamca, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Odonata
Family
Corduliidae
Genus
Cordulia
Downy Emerald belongs to the family Corduliidae, order Odonata, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The downy emerald is a species of dragonfly. It is metallic green and bronze in color, and its thorax is coated with fine hairs, hence its name. Like most other emeralds, the downy emerald has bright shiny green eyes. Adults are around 5 cm (2.0 in) in length, and are in flight from May through July each year.
The Downy Emerald faces significant threats from habitat degradation and loss of suitable breeding sites. Pollution of freshwater systems, drainage of wetlands, and climate change impacts on aquatic ecosystems are reducing the availability of clean, well-vegetated water bodies essential for larval development.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits well-vegetated ponds, lakes, bog pools, and slow-flowing streams with abundant emergent and floating vegetation. Adults require nearby woodland or scrubland for roosting and feeding, while larvae develop in shallow, acidic to neutral waters with rich organic substrates.
Threats
Freshwater habitat degradation
Wetland drainage and development
Climate change impacts on aquatic systems
Loss of riparian vegetation
Water pollution and eutrophication
Found in 47 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/downy-emerald