Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: HINE'S EMERALD DRAGONFLY

Phylum: ARTHROPODA

Class: INSECTA

Order: ODONATA

Family: CORDULIIDAE

Genus: SOMATACHLORA

Species: HINEANA

Taxonomic Authority: WILLIAMSON

Taxonomy References: 006 , 007

Status

FEDERAL ENDANGERED
STATE ENDANGERED
STATE RANK S2
GLOBAL RANK G2G3

Status References: 008 , 001 , 011

Habitat Summary

"Is associated with shrub-dominated fens, marshes and wet meadows with underlying dolomitic bedrock or calcareous limestone. Prefers sites with groundwater fed, shallow, slow-flowing water through vegetation."

Primary Habitat: "Wetland - fen/seep"

References: 008 , 002 , 003 , 004

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"First found in Missouri in 1999, in Reynolds county *05*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
PHELPS ADAIR
REYNOLDS ANDREW
RIPLEY ATCHISON
SHANNON AUDRAIN
WAYNE BARRY
BARTON
BATES
BENTON
BOLLINGER
BOONE
BUCHANAN
BUTLER
CALDWELL
CALLAWAY
CAMDEN
CAPE GIRARDEAU
CARROLL
CARTER
CASS
CEDAR
CHARITON
CHRISTIAN
CLARK
CLAY
CLINTON
COLE
COOPER
CRAWFORD
DADE
DALLAS
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DENT
DOUGLAS
DUNKLIN
FRANKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOLT
HOWARD
HOWELL
IRON
JACKSON
JASPER
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MADISON
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MISSISSIPPI
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEW MADRID
NEWTON
NODAWAY
OREGON
OSAGE
OZARK
PEMISCOT
PERRY
PETTIS
PIKE
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SCOTT
SHELBY
ST. CHARLES
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
ST. LOUIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STODDARD
STONE
SULLIVAN
TANEY
TEXAS
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 009 , 010 , 002 , 003 , 005

Distribution by Watersheds

Meramec R.
Gasconade R. from Big Piney R. to Mo. R.
Black R.
Current R.

Comments: ""

Distribution by Ecoregions

Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Lower Ozark

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial/Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Palustrine

Aquatic Associations:

"Palustrine", "Emergent"
"Palustrine", "Moss/lichen, moss"
"Palustrine", "Unconsolidated bottom, sand"
"Palustrine", "Unconsolidated bottom, mud"

References for Aquatic Associations: 008 , 002 , 003

Habitat Types:

Marsh
Shrub-Grass

References for Habitat Types: 002 , 003 , 004

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Marshes
Freshwater Marsh
Ground Water Seepage
Ground Water Seepage
Fen

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 002 , 003

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Trichoptera (caddisflies); Larva stage
Amphibians; Larva stage
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Larva stage
Osteichthyes (bony fishes); Not Specified
Other food habits; Not Specified
Aquatic Insects; Not Specified
Tardigrades (water bears); Not Specified
Crustaceans; Not Specified
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Adult Stage

Comments for larval food habits:
"Larvae eat smaller aquatic invertebrates, small fish and larval "

References for larval food habits: 008 , 002 , 003

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
"Larvae eat smaller aquatic invertebrates, small fish and larval "

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 008 , 002

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

Substrate (not bottom type): mud or silt
Substrate (not bottom type): sand substrate
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Water depth: shallow
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: fen
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for egg niches requirements: 002 , 003 , 004

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

Water temperature: cool water: 21 to 27 c (70-81 f)
Bottom type: organic debris
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Aquatic vegetation: cattail (Typha)
Aquatic vegetation: sedge (Carex)
Current velocity: slow current
Water depth: shallow
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands specified in comments(00250)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for feeding larvae niche requirements: 008 , 003

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands specified in comments(00250)
Inland wetlands: fen
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for resting Larvae niche requirements: 008 , 003

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements:

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for resting juvenile niche requirements:

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Water depth: shallow
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands specified in comments(00250)
Inland wetlands: fen

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 008 , 003

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands specified in comments(00250)
Inland wetlands: fen
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 008 , 003 , 004

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands specified in comments(00250)
Inland wetlands: fen
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for resting adult niche requirements:

Niche Requirement Summary

Aquatic vegetation: cattail (Typha)
Aquatic vegetation: sedge (Carex)
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: organic debris
Bottom type: sand
Current velocity: slow current
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Inland wetlands specified in comments(00250)
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: fen
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Substrate (not bottom type): mud or silt
Substrate (not bottom type): sand substrate
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Water depth: shallow
Water temperature: cool water: 21 to 27 c (70-81 f)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
030 Adult emergence begins in late May and continues throughout the summer *02*. Flight season is late May to early October in Illinois, early July to August in Wisconsin *03*. Adults generally feed during the day, but are most active during morning hours. Crepuscular and diurnal feeding swarms have been observed in IL and WI *08*. Larvae are more active at night *08*.
035 Predators for aquatic larvae are large predatory invertebrates, fish and turtles. Predators for adults include birds, frogs and spiders (orb-weavers) *03*.
038 Larval stage is 2-4 years depending on local weather conditions *002,003,008*. Live 4-6 weeks as an adult *002,003,004,008*.
027 Territories are 2-4 m long, with flight heights of .5-2 m *008*.
006 While foraging, often fly over open fields at a height of 1-3 m *08*
099 Establish breeding sites and territories 7-10 days after emergence. Pre-reproductive adults may fly .6-1.9 miles from emergence sites before establishing territories, and may make foraging flights of 1-2 km from territories. Adults live 2-6 weeks after emergence. *08*.
004 Adults capture prey in flight. Larvae sit and wait for prey. *08*.
005 Adults forage in the air along the forest's edge and by patches of vegetation *011*, larvae forage in water *08*.
026 Males establish breeding territories that they defend against other dragonflies *02,03*.

Life History Information

Territoriality specified in comments(026)
Territory size specified in comments(027)
Periodicity: active at dawn or dusk
Periodicity: most active in late spring
Periodicity: most active in early summer
Periodicity: most active in late summer
Periodicity specified in comments(030)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Age and growth information specified in comments(038)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Foraging strategy: flycatching
Foraging strategy specified in comments(004)
Foraging sites: air
Foraging sites specified in comments(005)
Foraging height specified in comments(006)
Display site: air
Spawning site: standing water
Spawning site: mud
Parental care of young: no care
Territoriality: defends breeding territory

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
030 Adult emergence begins in late May and continues throughout the summer *02*. Flight season is late May to early October in Illinois, early July to August in Wisconsin *03*. Adults generally feed during the day, but are most active during morning hours. Crepuscular and diurnal feeding swarms have been observed in IL and WI *08*. Larvae are more active at night *08*.
035 Predators for aquatic larvae are large predatory invertebrates, fish and turtles. Predators for adults include birds, frogs and spiders (orb-weavers) *03*.
038 Larval stage is 2-4 years depending on local weather conditions *002,003,008*. Live 4-6 weeks as an adult *002,003,004,008*.
027 Territories are 2-4 m long, with flight heights of .5-2 m *008*.
006 While foraging, often fly over open fields at a height of 1-3 m *08*
099 Establish breeding sites and territories 7-10 days after emergence. Pre-reproductive adults may fly .6-1.9 miles from emergence sites before establishing territories, and may make foraging flights of 1-2 km from territories. Adults live 2-6 weeks after emergence. *08*.
004 Adults capture prey in flight. Larvae sit and wait for prey. *08*.
005 Adults forage in the air along the forest's edge and by patches of vegetation *011*, larvae forage in water *08*.
026 Males establish breeding territories that they defend against other dragonflies *02,03*.

References for life history: 008 , 002 , 003 , 004

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - develop/maintain wetlands
Water - control pollution (thermal, physical, chemical)
Water - burning marshes or wetlands
Water - protect natural hydrology to avoid lowering of the water table
Water - prevent woody invasion of fens
Water - other (specify in comments)

Beneficial Management References: 012 , 002 , 003 , 004

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - application of pesticides
Water - dredging and filling
Water - drainage of wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Grassland - application of pesticides

Adverse Management References: 002 , 003 , 004

Comments on Management:
Beneficial: maintain good water quality *04,08*. Maintain fens and fenlike natural communities *02,08*. Eliminate illegal off-road traffic in suitable habitat *012*. Adverse: drainage and filling of wetland habitat to use for urban/industrial development. Pesticides/pollutants *04,08*. Contamination of surface/ground water from industrial sites, petroleum products and road salt (including non-point runoff/groundwater to surface water recharge) affects the larval habitat *03*. Woody invasion of open wetland habitats is detrimental *08*; should prevent woody encroachment by burning or cutting *010*.

References for Management Comments: 008 , 002 , 003 , 004

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2010. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 53 Pp.
002 Missouri Department Of Conservation. 2000. Missouri Animals Of Conservation Concern. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 41 Pp.
003 Hine's Emerald Dragonfly. Http://Www.Museum.State.Il.Us/Research/Entomology/Hines/Mainpage.Html Accessed: November 2, 2000.
004 U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service. 1997. Hine's Emerald Dragonfly Fact Sheet. Http://Www.Fws.Gov/R3pao/Eco_Serv/Endangrd/Insects/Hins_Fct.Html Accessed: November 2, 2000.
005 Unpb Trial, Linden. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
006 Poole, R.W. and P. Gentili, Eds. 1996-1997 (4 Volumes). Nomina Insecta Nearctica: A Checklist Of The Insects Of North America. Entomological Informational Services, P.O. Box 4350, Rockville, Md 20849-4350.
007 The Odonata Of North America. Http://Www.Ups.Edu/Biology/Museum/Nadragons.Html (Accessed Nov. 2000).
008 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2001. Hine's Emerald Dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana) Recovery Plan. Fort Snelling, MN. 120 pp.
009 Unpb Landwer, B.H.P. and T.E. Vogt. 2002. Survey for Hine's emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana) larval habitat in the Missouri Ozarks - 2002. Report to the Missouri Dept. of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 17 pp + appendix.
010 Unpb Vogt, T.E. 2003. A status survey for the Hine's emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana) in Missouri - 2002. Report submitted to Missouri Dept. of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65201. 45 pp + xvii.
011 Langstaff, L.L. 2002. Species at risk: the Hine's emerald dragonfly. Endangered Species Update 19(6): 241-244.
012 Langstaff, L.L. 2002. Species at risk: the Hine's emerald dragonfly. Endangered Species Update 19(6): 241-244.