Neurocordulia virginiensis Davis, 1927
Cinnamon Shadowdragon
NatureServe Global Rank: G4
Virginia State Rank: S2
VA DGIF Tier: IV
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: The Cinnamon Shadowdragon is an entirely light-brown dragonfly, including the eyes. The wings are clear with small amber markings basally along the leading edge of the wings. There are some faint black and yellowish-brown markings on the abdomen. The size is 42-49 mm (1.7 - 2 .0 inches).
Similar species: Other shadowdragon species in Virginia, such as the Umber Shadowdragon (N. obsoleta), have more extensive wing spotting.
North American Range: The Cinnamon Shadowdragon is found in the southeastern United States only; from Arkansas east to Georgia, and in the Piedmont region north through central North Carolina into Virginia as far north as the James River. Perhaps rarely extending farther north to Maryland.
VA Observations by Locality: Buckingham
Flight season and broods: Cinnamon Shadowdragon adults have been found from 28 April - 21 June in Virginia.
Aquatic Habitat: Cinnamon Shadowdragons prefer medium to large rivers.
Behavior and Ecology: Shadowdragons fly very fast only in the late evening, low over the water surface, so are rarely noticed except by deliberate effort. Occasionally they are found roosting in vegetation near their river habitat.
Population trend and potential threats: It is imperiled in Virginia and North Carolina, and extirpated in Kentucky (NatureServe, 2011), though the difficulty of observing the species may obscure its actual occurrence.
Management practices: Monitor and protect occupied habitats.
References: Carle, F.L., 1982. A contribution to the knowledge of the Odonata. Ph.D. thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia. 1,095 pp.
NatureServe. 2011. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer (Accessed: Oct 28, 2012).
Paulson, Dennis. 2011. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East. Princeton University Press. Princeton and Oxford. 538 pp.
Roble, Steven M. 2011. Dragonflies of Virginia- Flight dates. Unpub.