Orange-spotted emerald  (Oxygastra curtisii)

Although the orange-spotted emerald is not currently considered threatened, extensive water pollution, irrigation, large-scale stream alterations, global warming and associated summer droughts and stream drying may pose significant future threats, and an overall decrease in population sizes is therefore anticipated. Fortunately, the highest population densities that exist in south-west France and north-western Iberia are less likely to suffer than elsewhere, due to the mountainous nature of the area and therefore lower levels of agricultural pressure, river pollution and alteration, and drought (1).

While there are no conservation measures currently targeting this species, there is a need for control of water pollution, conservation of ‘natural' stream and river structures, and preservation of tree borders (1).