Bug FAQYellow-spotted Emerald
Somatochlora flavomaculata · Order: Odonata · Family: Corduliidae
Also called: Yellow-spotted Emerald Dragonfly
The Yellow-spotted Emerald is a small dragonfly with yellow spots on its thorax and abdomen; females have the largest and brightest spots, which darken with age. It lives in wetlands across continental Europe from northern France through Siberia to Mongolia, and males defend territories on dry vegetation near water.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Unlike most emerald dragonflies that are metallic green, this species shows yellow spots on its thorax and abdomen. Females have the biggest spots, which are brightest when young and become darker or almost invisible as they age.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
It is smaller than the similar brilliant emerald (Somatochlora metallica).
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It frequents wetlands throughout its range. Males defend territories on dry vegetation, paths, reed-bed glades and near water bodies.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its distribution stretches from France across Siberia to Mongolia.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
It resembles the brilliant emerald (Somatochlora metallica) but can be told apart by the extra yellow on the top and sides of the abdomen and its smaller size.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
How can I tell this dragonfly apart from similar species?
Look for the extra yellow on the top and sides of the abdomen and note that it is smaller than the brilliant emerald.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is the Yellow-spotted Emerald found?
It lives in wetlands from northern France through Siberia to Mongolia.
Source: Wikipedia
Do the yellow spots change as the dragonfly ages?
Yes, the spots are brightest on young individuals and become darker, sometimes almost invisible, as they get older.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Corduliidae)
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatochlora_flavomaculata
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-23 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.