Family Calopterygidae - Broad-winged Damselflies

Classification · Other Common Names · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Internet References

American Rubyspot Female - Hetaerina americana - female

Appalachian Jewelwing - Calopteryx angustipennis - female

Ebony Jewelwing - Calopteryx maculata - male

American Ruby Spot - Hetaerina americana - female

American Rubyspot - Hetaerina americana - male

Calopterygidae - Calopteryx maculata - Calopteryx maculata - male - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)

Suborder Zygoptera (Damselflies)

Family Calopterygidae (Broad-winged Damselflies)

Other Common Names

USE: The Odonata of North America for Common Names

USE: The Odonata of North America for Scientific Names

Explanation of Names

CALOPTERYGIDAE: from the Greek "kalos" (beautiful) + "pteron" (wing or feather) ...you might call these the beautiful-winged damselflies

Numbers

8 species in 2 genera in North America (nearctica.com)

Size

body length 35-66 mm

Identification

wings broader - relative to their length - than in the pond damselflies (Coenagrionidae) or spreadwings (Lestidae)

Range

most of North America

Habitat

larvae are aquatic; adults usually found on vegetation near water

Season

spring through fall; peak numbers in summer

Food

larvae and adults prey on insects and other arthropods

Internet References

live adult images and other info; 7 species in 2 genera (Ed Lam, New York)

live adult images and other info; 5 species in 2 genera (Jim Bangma, New Jersey)

live adult images and other info; 4 species in 2 genera (Ann Johnson, Iowa)

live adult images of 5 species in 2 genera (Giff Beaton, Georgia)

live adult images of 3 species in 2 genera (Dave Czaplak, Maryland)

live adult images of 3 species in 2 genera (Glenn Corbiere, Massachusetts)

Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by Robin McLeod, Tony-2
Last updated 9 November, 2008 - 7:49am

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