About Oxygastra curtisii (Dale, 1834)
The orange-spotted emerald, scientific name Oxygastra curtisii (Dale, 1834), is a dragonfly belonging to the family Corduliidae. It is the only species in its genus Oxygastra. This dragonfly reaches about 53 millimetres (2.1 inches) in total length. It has bright green eyes and a bronzy-green body, with yellow spots running along the top of its abdomen. The last abdominal segment (marked as S10) has a distinct prominent yellow mark on its upper surface. This species is found across most of Europe, but it is regionally extinct in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Its natural habitats include slow-flowing streams, pools, and ponds. It also lives in freshwater streams and rivers with muddy or sandy river beds. In its current remaining range, the species continues to be threatened by poor water quality. Nymphs of the orange-spotted emerald live on river banks, where they hide within leaf litter. Even though it is regionally extinct in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, the species remains widespread throughout much of Europe.
