Cordulia aenea (Linneus, 1758)

Middle- to large-sized (47-55 mm), this species features dark metallic green coloration with bronze reflexes and red shades on the thorax anterior part. The frons has no yellow area and the abdomen no yellow spots: these features allow identification of this species with reference to Oxygastra curtisii and to the species belonging to Somatochlora genus.

It is the early species in Corduliidae family, the only one in flight from the end of April. In mountain areas the emergence occurs later and so you can observe some adults in flight even in August.

It can be found in lakes of different kind.

It is absent in the whole Mediterranean area. It is a species widespread and often common in central Europe, but southwards it is usually confined to mountain habitats. Eastwards it reaches Japan. It is very rare in the Cuneo region, breeding just in one site in the Stura valley upper part.