Yellow-spotted Emerald
VU

Yellow-spotted Emerald

Somatochlora flavomaculata

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatochlora_flavomaculata

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Yellow-spotted Emerald faces severe population declines primarily due to wetland habitat destruction and degradation across its limited range in northeastern North America. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the hydrology of bog and fen ecosystems essential for larval development. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development further compromises the quality of breeding habitats, while the species' specialized habitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Yellow-spotted Emerald inhabits acidic bogs, fens, and sedge marshes with slow-moving or still water, particularly favoring sphagnum-dominated wetlands. Adults require adjacent forested areas for hunting and maturation, while larvae develop in the organic substrates of these specialized wetland ecosystems.

Other threatened species in Corduliidae

Eurasian BaskettailVU

Eurasian Baskettail

Epitheca bimaculata

Unknown
Downy EmeraldVU

Downy Emerald

Cordulia aenea

Unknown
Northern EmeraldCR

Northern Emerald

Somatochlora arctica

Unknown
Brilliant EmeraldVU

Brilliant Emerald

Somatochlora metallica

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
VU

Syndyas nigripes

Unknown
Chrysotus cupreusCR

Chrysotus cupreus

Unknown
VU

narulukkokiiluri

Syntormon filiger

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Yellow-spotted Emerald classified as Vulnerable?
Yellow-spotted Emerald is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Yellow-spotted Emerald faces severe population declines primarily due to wetland habitat destruction and degradation across its limited range in northeastern North America. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the hydrology of bog and fen ecosystems essential for larval development. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development further compromises the quality of breeding habitats, while the species' specialized habitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.
Where does Yellow-spotted Emerald live?
Yellow-spotted Emerald occurs in Åland Islands, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, and Bulgaria (plus 33 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Yellow-spotted Emerald?
The main threats to Yellow-spotted Emerald are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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