Broadwinged Damselflies
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The two North American genera of broadwinged damselflies (Calopterygidae) are known for their large size and showy colors.
Always a crowd favorite, rubyspots (genus Hetaerina) get their name from the ruby red color on the wings.
The most wide ranging of the three Hetaerina species, the American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana), lives near fast moving streams and rivers across the continental United States.
Females, like the one pictured above, alternate between a bronze and green colored thorax. The red in the wings shows up more or less pronounced, depending on the individual. The thoracic stripes are more pronounced in the female than in the male.
Males display a pronounced red spot on the base of each wing. They metallic red thorax might also show some bronze.
In most regions, American Rubyspots fly from summer through fall, hanging around until October in their southern range.
The wide wings on the River Jewelwing (Calopteryx aequabilis), explains its placement in the broad-winged damselfly family.
It's one of a handful of Jewelwing species, and fairly common in the northern half of the United States.
River Jewelwings are typically the largest damselflies in any given area, and they generally display physical characteristics such as metallic green bodies and large, spotted wings.
Females, like the one in the top picture also have white pterostigmas, or wing tips on the dark spots.
© 2010. Patricia A. Michaels.