About Somatochlora alpestris (Selys, 1840)
Somatochlora alpestris, commonly known as the alpine emerald, is a dragonfly species belonging to the family Corduliidae. This species occurs in European highlands, southern Scandinavia, and extends eastward into southern Siberia in Asia. Its Asian range remains poorly studied. Somatochlora alpestris lives in cold arctic and montane regions, and breeds in acidic bogs. Nymphs of this species can survive both short-term freezing and the complete drying out of their aquatic habitat. In contrast, active adult alpine emeralds are sensitive to low temperatures and snowfall during mid-summer. In Central Europe, the species is widespread across the Alps, the Tatra Mountains, and the Carpathian Mountains, typically found at elevations between approximately 800 and 2,500 meters (2,620 and 8,200 feet) above sea level.
