Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly Have you ever wondered what is flitting before your eyes as you walk near wet areas…streams, ponds, even a wet ditch. It sparkles, and dances on the air. It just may be the Ebony Jwewlwinged Damselfly (Calopteryx maculata).
Ebony Jewelwing damselfly - MaleD
They are not strong flies, and flitter around you like a butterfly for short distances landing frequently. It should be easy to approach them for relitive closeups, just make no sudden moves, remember they like sunny spots under the cover of the woods.
Like other damselflies they consume large numbers of other bug pest, so encourage them! Some of what the consume are Large Diving Beetle, Eastern Dobsonfly, Water Flea, Green Darner, Aquatic Worm, Northern caddis fly, Rotifer, Copepod, Scud, Dogwood Borer, Six-spotted Tiger Beetle, Flatworm, and the Green Hydra.
Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly - Female (note the white spot on the wing)
Herbe Rowe 