Calopteryx maculata
Stephen R. Mirick
The Ebony Jewelwing is a
damselfly. Damselflies are closely related to dragonflies
and they look very much alike. The easiest way to tell
dragonflies and damselflies apart is to look at the wings.
Dragonfly wings stick straight out from the body when the
dragonfly is resting. Damselfly wings usually fold back
above the body. Ebony Jewelwings grow up
to two inches long. Males are larger and have a big black
head, green body, and black wings. Females also have black
wings, but they have a lighter colored body. They also have
a white spot on their wings. ©www.twofrog.com
Stephen R. Mirick
Ebony Jewelwings are
found wherever there are shady forest streams. When they fly
they look a lot like a butterfly because they flutter. They
often stop to rest on leaves or twigs. Jewelwings mate in the
summer. The male grabs the female behind her head with his
tail (the end of his abdomen). After mating, female
jewelwings lay eggs inside soft stems of water plants. Eggs
hatch into larvae
called naiads.
Ebony Jewelwing naiads eat small aquatic
insects. When they are fully grown, the naiads crawl out of
the water and molt
(leave their old skin). The adult jewelwing can soon fly off
and look for a mate. Copyright, Jim
Durbin Ohio History
Central Ebony Jewelwings can be
seen flying from May to August. They eat large numbers of
gnats, aphids, flies, and other insects. Predators
of jewelwings include birds, bats, and dragonflies. The
young naiads may be eaten by fish, turtles, and other
insects, such as Large Diving Beetles. Ebony Jewelwings also may
fly far from water. They can be seen in the middle of the
woods, whereas most damselflies and dragonflies are usually
seen near ponds, lakes, or rivers.
