![]() ![]() Soluk and others also noted in 1996 that the quality of substrate may influence larval distribution within a site. The pattern of distribution is unknown however, these data imply that Hine’s emerald dragonfly can coexist in clusters or remain independent. Single individuals have also been collected from numerous 1 square-foot samples. Hine’s emerald dragonfly larvae can occur in small clusters within their habitat, noted by Soluk and others in the 1990s. Sample sizes of 1 square-foot have yielded different-size classes of Hine’s emerald dragonfly individuals and up to 28 newly-hatched larvae as Mierzwa and others documented. It is probable that Hine’s emerald dragonfly is an opportunistic predator and does not rely on certain prey items for its diet. As larvae grow, it is likely their prey items or prey size change. ![]() Dragonfly larvae commonly feed on smaller insect larvae, including mosquito and dragonfly larvae, worms, small fish and snails, as noted by Pritchard in 1964 and others as studies continued into the 1980s and 1990s. Soluk also directly observed larvae in containers and noted that Hine’s emerald dragonfly will attack and consume mayflies, isopods and smaller larvae of a related species, Somatochlora williamsoni. Preliminary analyses of fecal pellets from Hine’s emerald dragonfly larvae indicate this species feeds on oligochaetes and larval mayflies and caddisflies, which are common in its habitat, as documented by Soluk and others in 1998. It is also possible that Hine’s emerald dragonfly is an active predator, and the observed larvae were in search of prey items. Mobility at night may reduce predation risks. Hine’s emerald dragonfly larvae have also been observed crawling around in streamlets at night, as documented in 1998 by Mierzwa and others. Pintor and Soluk of the Illinois Natural History Survey analyzed larval behavior using time lapse video and infrared light observed that Hine’s emerald dragonfly larvae are much more active at night than during the day. Johnson also noted in 1991, that Hine's emerald dragonflies remain motionless until a prey item comes within striking range. Soluk observed in a laboratory environment with both Williamson's emerald dragonflies ( Somatochlora williamsoni) and a small number of Hine’s emerald dragonflies, that the Hine’s emerald dragonfly was assumed to be a sit-and-wait predator. Most dragonfly adults are general predators throughout their entire life cycle, feeding primarily on insects they can capture while flying.ĭ. As with most dragonflies, adult Hine’s emerald dragonflies feed, establish territories, mate and oviposit, or lay eggs as observed by Corbet in 1962. Soluk and others documented in 1996 that fully adult Hine’s emerald dragonflies can live at least 14 days, and Mierzwa and others documented that they may live four to six weeks. Populations in Wisconsin were documented by Vogt and Cashatt to have flight season through late August. The Hine’s emerald dragonfly’s known flight season lasts up to early October in Illinois, as documented by Vogt and Cashatt in 1994, and later by Soluk and others in 1996. The first emergence date can be estimated using temperature and precipitation data documents Mierzwa and others in 1995. Upon completion of larval development, the larvae begin to emerge as adults, possibly as early as late May in Illinois and late June in Wisconsin, and continue to emerge throughout the summer noted Vogt and Cashatt in 1994 and others in the late 1990s. ![]() After an egg is hatched, the larvae may spend 2 to 4 years in small streamlets, foraging and molting as they grow, noted Soluk and others in 1996 and again in 1998. ![]() Soluk, with the Illinois Natural History Survey in 1999. A Hine’s emerald dragonfly female will most likely lay more than 500 eggs during her life noted D. The life cycle of Hine’s emerald dragonfly is similar to most dragonflies in that it is comprised of the following stages: aquatic egg, aquatic larva and a terrestrial / aerial adult as described by Corbet in 1962. ![]()
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