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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) » Damselflies (Zygoptera) » Broad-winged Damselflies (Calopterygidae) » Rubyspots (Hetaerina) » Canyon Rubyspot (Hetaerina vulnerata)
Photo#60380
Rubyspot - Hetaerina vulnerata
Copyright © 2006 David Moll

Rubyspot - Hetaerina vulnerata
Weed Canyon, about 20 miles NW of Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona, USA
May 24, 2006
Does anyone know how to tell the difference between an American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana) and Canyon Rubyspot (H. vulnerata)?

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Rubyspot - Hetaerina vulnerata Rubyspot - Hetaerina vulnerata
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Contributed by David Moll on 29 June, 2006 - 5:00am
Last updated 12 November, 2021 - 3:10am

Moved
Moved from Rubyspots.
… David Moll, 12 November, 2021 - 3:10am login or register to post comments

Yes :-)
The easiest way to differentiate the two is the lack of pterostigmata in Canyon Rubyspot. This feature is very hard to discern in this photo. When I lightened the picture, though, it certainly looks like there are no pterostigmata. Additionally, the terminal appendages are the same color as the abdomen, and they are often noticeably paler than the abdomen in Americans. However, the cerci look like they have a small lateral "tooth", which would make this an American. Do you have a higher-res shot?
… Nick Block, 28 November, 2008 - 8:30am login or register to post comments

 
Hetaerina
Hi Nick:

Other less-sharp but less-shadowy images indeed indicate no pterostigmata. I'll add an image that has a different angle on terminal appendages (and pterostigmata). As for resolution, I post only 560 on the longest side here at BG. I looked at my full resolution images but didn't really know what to look for.

My ID dilemma for this specimen is vaguely coming back to me.

David.
… David Moll, 28 November, 2008 - 2:20pm login or register to post comments

 
Hetaerina
It's looking more like a Canyon, David. If you email me a high-res version of the new photo you added, I could probably say for sure. The cerci look pretty smooth on the inside edge, which is great for Canyon.
… Nick Block, 29 November, 2008 - 11:17am login or register to post comments

 
Email Sent
I sent the full resolution.
… David Moll, 29 November, 2008 - 12:27pm login or register to post comments

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