ebony jewelwing

Ebony jewelwing is a large, 17 ⁄16″ to 2¼″ long, showy, broad-winged damselfly.

The head, thorax, and upper (dorsal) and side (lateral) surfaces of the abdomen of the male are iridescent. The apparent color is determined by the quantity and angle of available light. In good light they appear brilliant metallic green or bright metallic teal blue depending on the angle of the light. In deep shade they appear black. The 8th and 9th abdominal segments have a white lateral patch. The lower (ventral) surface of the abdomen is black.

The wings are 1″ to 17 ⁄16″ long and are broad, 3 times as long as wide. On mature individuals they are wholly black. They are not stalked at the base and there are no contrasting stigmas. The area between the base of the wing and the notch (nodus) is crossed by numerous veins.

The legs are long, slender, and dark.

The female is similar but less brilliantly colored. It may appear bronze, gray, or black with a slight bluish-green iridescence. The 8th and 9th abdominal segments have a brown lateral patch. The wings are lighter, dark gray near the body becoming almost black at the tip, but not appearing banded at the tip. There is a white area (pseudopterostigma) on the leading edge of each wing toward the tip. It is crossed by veins so is not a true pterostigma. It is nearly half as wide as long and is conspicuously widened at the middle.

Immature adults have light brown to dark brown wings.

Total length: 17 ⁄16″ to 2¼″

River jewelwing (Calopteryx aequabilis) wings are narrower, 3½ to 4 times as long as wide. They are conspicuously banded, with a clear or smoky band on the inner part of the wing and a dark band on the outer part. On the female, the pseudopterostigma is more slender.

Shallow, small to medium-sized, canopy covered forest streams and adjacent shaded areas.

Late May to early September

When perched the wings are held back vertically above the body. The flight pattern is usually described as “bouncy and butterfly-like.”

Males compete vigorously for territories with suitable egg-laying submerged vegetation.

Adults emerge from late May to late August, the last emerging ones flying until early September. They are often seen in large numbers but for only a short period and then not again until the next year.

After mating the female oviposits eggs inside soft, submerged stems of aquatic plants in a slow moving or quiet area of the stream. Naiads remain in the water for about one year, molting 10 or 11 times before emerging as an adult. They reach sexual maturity in about 11 days and live on average for 16 to 20 days.

Small insects and other arthropods

Small insects and other arthropods

Sources

7, 17, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 82, 83.

Common

Snack time

Pair of Ebony Jewelwings

Adult female

Male

Male

Immature adult female

Male

Female

Female

Ebony Jewelwing
Andree Reno Sanborn

Calopteryx maculata (Ebony Jewelwing)
Allen Chartier

Ebony Jewelwing
Victor Fazio

Ebony Jewelwing
Stoil Ivanov

ハグロトンボ・Ebony Jewelwing
cubrobhex

Ebony Jewelwing Egg-laying and female gaurding
Meena Haribal

Ebony Jewelwing
Basicbill's Outdoor and Travel Channel

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Location: Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Location: Nine Mile Creek, Bloomington, MN

Location: Rum River County Park, St. Francis, MN

Snack time

Location: Steele Co.

Pair of Ebony Jewelwings

Location: Snake River, Pine City, Mn

So many all about submerged trees in this slow moving River today. Looked great in the sun. 

Location: Sauk River Regional Park/Whitney Dog Park

First time I've ever seen these but there were tons of them along the river.

Location: In an area near a creek in Norman County, Mn.

Adult female

Location: St. Wendel, MN

I have seen the ebony jewelwing here in St. Wendel, in Stearns county. I plant lots of flowers and we have a variety of habitat , including swampy, low areas, open fields, deciduous and conifers. I've also seen the twelve spotted skimmer.