Brilliant Emerald
Encyclopedia
The Brilliant Emerald, Somatochlora metallica, is a middle-sized species
of dragonfly
. It is the largest and greenest of the Somatochlora
species; 50 – long.
S. metallica is found across most of northern Eurasia
where it is the commonest of its genus
. In Great Britain
, it is locally common in south east England and has a very restricted population in Scotland.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of dragonfly
Dragonfly
A dragonfly is a winged insect belonging to the order Odonata, the suborder Epiprocta or, in the strict sense, the infraorder Anisoptera . It is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and an elongated body...
. It is the largest and greenest of the Somatochlora
Somatochlora
Somatochlora is a genus of dragonflies in the family Corduliidae. Members of this genus are medium-sized dragonflies with dark bodies and a metallic green lustre....
species; 50 – long.
S. metallica is found across most of northern Eurasia
Eurasia
Eurasia is a continent or supercontinent comprising the traditional continents of Europe and Asia ; covering about 52,990,000 km2 or about 10.6% of the Earth's surface located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres...
where it is the commonest of its genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
. In Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, it is locally common in south east England and has a very restricted population in Scotland.