The Hine's emerald (Somatochlora hineana) is an endangered dragonfly species found in the United States and Canada. Populations exist in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Ontario, and Wisconsin. Larvae are found in shallow, flowing water in fens and marshes, and often use crayfish burrows. Major threats to the species include habitat loss and alteration, and the species is legally protected in both the United States and Canada.
Description
The Hine's emerald's appearance varies across its lifetime. During the larval stage, nymphs possess no features that distinguish them from those of other dragonfly species. A mature nymph measures roughly in length.
Several characteristics distinguish adult Hine's emeralds from other dragonfly species. An adult Hine's emerald has a distinctive dark-green thorax with two yellow lateral stripes. Hine's emeralds also have uniquely shaped male and female reproductive structures. A Hine's emerald's eyes are brown during the first 1–3 days of adulthood. After the third day, the eyes take on an emerald green color. Their wings remain clear with amber coloring at the base until the ends of their lives, at which point they become smoky in color. The average mature Hine's emerald measures in length and has a wingspan of . On average, female dragonflies are slightly longer than males.
Life history During their lifespans, Hine's emeralds progress through the egg stage, larval stage, and adult stage.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2001. Hine's Emerald Dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana) Recovery Plan. Fort Snelling, MN. 120 p. Retrieved from https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/hedplan.pdf Both the egg and larval stages are aquatic. Hine's emeralds spend the majority of this lifespan in the larval stage, which lasts 2–4 years. The specific length of this stage varies with food supply, water depth, and temperature. While in this stage, Hine's emerald nymphs live within streamlets and mature by undergoing a series of molts. A mature larvae transitions into the adult stage by climbing up onto a cattail and completing a final molt. During this molt, the nymph's skin splits longitudinally along its body. The adult then sheds this dead skin and emerges into the wild. Nymphs typically emerge into the wild during June and July.Cuthrell, D.L. 1999. Special animal abstract for Somatochlora hineana (Hine's emerald dragonfly). Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing, MI. 3 pp. Male and female nymphs appear to progress into the adult stage in equal proportions. The following 4-to-6-week-long adult stage consists of three sub-stages. These stages are the pre-reproductive stage, reproductive stage, and post-reproductive stage. Adults spend these stages hunting for prey, establishing territories, and reproducing. Overall, Hine's emerald dragonflies live for 2–4 years.
Reproduction Before reproduction can occur, a male must first establish a territory. These territories range from in area and sit close to bodies of water. Male dragonflies patrol these areas and defend them from dragonflies of both their own and other species. Females initiate mating by flying into a male's territory. A male responds to this behavior by chasing after the female. Once the male reaches the female, he latches onto her body. The two then fly to nearby shrubs, and copulation begins. Post-copulation, the female repeatedly dips her abdomen into shallow water to deposit her fertilized eggs. Hine's emeralds reproduce once and die shortly thereafter. Hine's emeralds reproduce during the months of June, July, and August.
Diet and feeding behaviors Hine's emeralds are carnivorous during both the larval and adult stages of their lives. Adult Hine's emeralds feed upon small flying insects such as mosquitoes and gnats. Adults usually forage for their prey while in-flight and appear to favor foraging along forest edges. These forest edges typically run alongside roads. During the pre-reproductive stage, these flights last 1–3 minutes. During the reproductive stage, these flights last up to 15 minutes. Reproductive adults may fly up to during these flights. At times, reproductive adults also forage in large swarms. Hunting in these swarms may protect dragonflies from predators. Nymphs are nocturnal feeders and prey upon other aquatic larvae, such as those belonging to mosquitoes or mayflies Researchers suspect that nymphs prey upon different species throughout their development. While hunting, nymphs remain still and wait for prey to approach them.
Distribution and habitat Hine's emeralds occupy wetland, pond and pool, wet meadow, forest, and marsh habitats. A few important characteristics are common to typical Hine's emerald habitats. First, Hine's emerald habitats include slow-moving, mineralized streams. Second, they have both open and wooded areas. Open areas provide space for foraging. Wooded areas provide space for resting. Third, they include crayfish burrows, which nymphs use for shelter. Fourth, typical habitats possess exposed or lightly covered bedrock. Finally, they provide pathways for Hine's emerald dispersal. Roadways, forest clearings, streams, and railroads all serve as dispersal pathways. Other characteristics of Hine's emerald habitats, such as vegetation, vary between regions.
The Hine's emerald's current range includes parts of the United States and Canada. Within the United States, the Hine's emerald's range includes Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin. Within Canada, the Hine's emerald's range includes parts of Ontario. The Hine's emerald historically also occupied parts of Ohio, Indiana, and Alabama. Due to habitat modification, the Hine's emerald likely no longer live in these states. Whether the Hine's emerald once lived in parts of other states is currently unknown.
Hine's emerald dragonflies were first described in 1931 near Indian Lake in Logan County, Ohio. The IUCN Red List states that there are 47 known locations where Hine's emeralds are present. This includes Ontario, Canada, and Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Populations at one point also existed in Ohio, Alabama, and Indiana, though there have been no recent sightings.
Ecology Several species prey upon the Hine's emeralds. Crayfish, turtles, amphibians, and other aquatic species prey upon nymphs. Spiders, frogs, birds, and large dragonflies prey upon adults. Some of these predator/prey relationships may benefit the Hine's emeralds. A 2006 paper suggests that devil crayfish (Lacunicambarus diogenes) help sustain populations of their Hine's emerald nymph prey. As Hine's emerald habitats dry up in late summer, crayfish burrows remain wet. In inhabiting these burrows, nymphs increase their chances of survival during droughts. Use of digger crayfish (Creaserinus fodiens) burrows has additionally been described in the Minesing Wetlands of Ontario. It is unknown whether the Hine's emeralds have similar mutually beneficial relationships with other species.
Population size Not much information exists about historical population size for Hine's emerald dragonflies. The IUCN Red List states that current populations are stable, estimating that there are over 30,000 individuals globally. the Door County, Wisconsin population is the biggest and most significant, with as many as 20,000 individuals.
There are two recovery units in the United States: the Northern Recovery Unit and the Southern Recovery Unit. The Northern Recovery Unit has two populations: Northern Wisconsin and Michigan. The Southern Recovery Unit has four populations. This includes Ozaukee County Wisconsin, Southwest Wisconsin, Illinois, and Missouri. Populations are unique when separated by large distances of at least 30 miles. There must be a low chance of genetic exchange between them.
These six populations are made of 27 sub-populations. Thus, there are 69 total sites for Hine's emerald presence. Thirty-five of these sites are fully protected and 21 are partially protected. Eleven sites are not protected, and the remaining two have unknown statuses of legal protection. Information is missing on the number of breeding adults for many of the sub-populations. This makes it difficult to assess progress in conservation efforts.
The 2013 Five Year Review suggests future actions that aid conservation efforts. This includes modeling Hine's emerald population dynamics, a high priority. Additionally, more information about key measures of population demographics is required. Areas of research include smallest possible population sizes and current population sizes. Also, the genetic diversity between populations is important to study. Restoring Hine's emeralds to lasting population sizes allows the ESA to downgrade the species from endangered to threatened. To do this, however, up-to-date population data is crucial.
Conservation
Conservation status Hine's emerald dragonfly was first proposed as an endangered species in October 1993.Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. (1993). Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Rule To List the Hine's Emerald Dragonfly as Endangered. Federal Register, 58(190). Retrieved from https://esadocs.defenders-cci.org/ESAdocs/federal_register/fr2428.pdf The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cited three main reasons why Hine's emerald warrants federal protection. Fragmented habitats and small, highly-distributed populations were significant concerns. By January 1995, Hine's emerald was officially added to the ESA and listed as an endangered species. Last assessed in 2008, the Hine's emerald dragonfly was the only dragonfly species included in the Endangered Species Act.U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. (2008). Recovering Threatened and Endangered Species, Fiscal Years 2005-2006. Retrieved from https://esadocs.defenders-cci.org/ESAdocs/misc/summary_2005-6Recovery.pdf
The Recovery Plan by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was published in 2001. Its ultimate recovery goal is "[restoring the dragonfly] to viable populations". The plan established the Northern Recovery Unit and Southern Recovery Unit. To be downgraded in the Endangered Species Act, certain criteria must be met. Each Recovery Unit must contain at least three subpopulations with 500 reproducing adults for at least 10 years. Additionally, there must be two breeding sites per subpopulation. These areas must have federally protected habitat.
In the Recovery Plan, the Fish and Wildlife Service suggests various ideas to increase Hine's emerald survivorship. This includes watershed protection and deed restrictions. Land acquisition and nature preserve creation are also potential ways to protect the species. The Fish and Wildlife Service details the importance of managing existing populations and researching demographic changes. To do this, there must be searches for undiscovered Hine's emerald populations as well as organized education programs. Additionally, the Recovery Plan outlines the importance of protecting and maintaining known populations and habitats. Augmentation programs and evaluations of recovery progress must be conducted. The Recovery Plan's objective is clear: "assure the long-term viability by arresting or reversing the decline of Hine's emerald populations and addressing its threats to survival".