Procordulia jacksoniensis (Rambur, 1842)

EASTERN SWAMP EMERALD

Family Hemicorduliidae

A male Eastern Swamp Emerald flying up and down a grassy water-filled drain at Deer Vale, NSW on March 9th 2011.

You are more likely to see an Australian or Tau Emerald than an Eastern Swamp Emerald . It is easily identified from these two Emeralds by the white bars at the intersections of the abdominal segments. It also tends to perch more often than the Australian and Tau Emeralds.

At Deer Vale, NSW, the Eastern Swamp Emerald flies from early to mid-afternoon on sunny days from November to early March. I have also seen it at the Cathedral Rocks National Park.

A male Eastern Swamp Emerald at Deer Vale NSW on February 28th 2011.

A male Eastern Swamp Emerald at Deer Vale, NSW on March 8th 0.

A male Eastern Swamp Emerald at Deer Vale, NSW on March 8th 2012.

A pair of Eastern Swamp Emeralds mating at Deer Vale,NSW on February 29th 2012.

I was lucky to see a female Eastern Swamp Emerald laying eggs by dipping the tip of her abdomen in the water of a small pool (November 2012, Deer Vale). A male swooped down and grabbed her and they mated mid-air.The pair tried to land several times but the vegetation they chose to alight would not support their weight. Eventually they found a suitable place but as it was quite windy they soon took off again. They separated in flight then rejoined before landing in a more sheltered spot at the edge of the pool. In all they mated for over 30 minutes with one short break. They were still mating when I left.

A pair of Eastern Swamp Emeralds mating at Deer Vale, NSW on February 29th 2012.

A pair of Eastern Swamp Emeralds mating at Deer Vale, NSW on November 29th 2012.