An ebony jeweling damselfly sits perched on a leaf in south Carolina, use waiting to go after it's insect prey.

Ebony Jewelwing

South Carolina, USA

The Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata) is a type of broad-winged damselfly native to the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. These insects are famous for their brilliant iridescent bodies and dark, charcoal-colored wings. Adults measure between 1.5 to 2.2 inches in length. Males feature a brilliant metallic blue-green body and solid jet-black wings. Females are a muted brownish-green and possess smoky, translucent wings marked by a prominent white spot near each wingtip.

Unlike dragonflies, which rest with their wings spread flat, the Ebony Jewelwing folds its teardrop-shaped wings flat together vertically over its back when perched. They primarily inhabit the margins of small, clean, shaded forest streams and rivers featuring abundant streamside vegetation.

The ebony jewelwing belongs to the insect order Odonata, which comes from Greek words meaning "toothed jaw". They possess powerful, serrated, tooth-like mandibles that they use to catch, crush, and consume soft-bodied flying insects. Their mouthparts include strong, heavily chitinized mandibles equipped with interlocking, tooth-like serrations. After capturing a flying insect out of the air using its spiny legs, it immediately brings the prey to its mouth. The jaws then swiftly chew and dismantle the insect.

Photo © copyright by Dr. Edward Mikol.

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