Somatochlora metallica (Vander Linden, 1825)

With S. meridionalis it is the biggest italian species in its genus (50-55 mm). It features dark metallic green coloration and can be separated from S. meridionalis by the brown, not black pterostigma and by the lack of the yellow spot on the thorax.

It flies from the end of May to the begin of August.

It prefers still or slowly flowing waters with abundant riparian vegetation in wooded areas, usually below 1500 meters above sea level.

This species is widespread in central Europe from France to Russia, becoming rarer southwards (the limit is between northern Italy and the Balkans). Northwards it can be observed in all Scandinavia. Unlike the areas in the Piedmontese plain, in the Cuneo region this species is not so much widespread, even if it is observed with some frequency in suitable wetlands even in the hills.