Endangered Species Day

Endangered Species Day is especially meaningful to the city of Lockport, because Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve is home to the federally endangered Hine's emerald dragonfly.

“This preserve is regarded as having the most abundant population of this federally endangered dragonfly in the state, and as a result, in Month/Year the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County opted to release its latest batch of larvae in this habitat.”

The Hine’s emerald dragonfly, pictured below, is in fact, one of the most endangered insects in the United States. They live in wetlands with specific characteristics: groundwater fed, shallow water that moves slowly through dolomitic bedrock or calcareous limestone. This type of ecosystem is appropriate habitat for the dragonfly’s larval development. Also: Open vegetation as places to forage. Forest edge, trees or shrubs are full of prey and allow Hine’s emerald dragonflies to roost.

“This preserve is regarded as having the most abundant population of this federally endangered dragonfly in the state, and as a result, in Month/Year the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County opted to release its latest batch of larvae in this habitat.”

More information

1. Hine's Emerald (Somatochlora hineana) | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

2. Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve | Forest Preserve District of Will County

3. Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly Release at Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve