Stygian Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia yamaskanensis) is a member of an often frustrating genus of emeralds, well-known for their crepuscular activity and elusiveness. Due to their unusual diel activity pattern, adult shadowdragons are generally dragonflies for which a specific effort is required to see them in nature. They can be abundant at times, but usually spend the daylight hours perched high in trees. They have a period of great activity from sunset to twilight, when the true propulation can be more adequately appreciated. Exuviae surveys are often the best way to determine their presence and population level (B. Coulter, pers. obs.) Stygian Shadowdragon prefers large rivers with areas of shallow water without aquatic vegetation (Paulson, 2011). In Maryland, this dragonfly is known mostly from large rivers like the Potomac, where it is common. There are also a few records from the Susquehanna R., and one from Sideling Hill Creek, where it is uncommon (Richard Orr's The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Maryland and the District of Columbia). This species is on the watch list (S3) for Maryland.
There are 11 records in the project database.
| GA | AL | WA | FR | CL | MO | HO | BA | BC | HA | CE | PG | AA | CV | CH | SM | KE | QA | CN | TA | DO | WI | SO | WO |
