Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly

Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly Top Of Page

• Size: Large for a damselfly, reaching up to 3 inches.
• Male: Has a brilliant, metallic blue-green body and entirely black wings.
• Female: Has a duller, more brownish body with smoky wings that have a distinct white spot (pterostigma) near the tip of each wing.
• Naiads (nymphs): Pale brown with darker markings. 

Habitat

• Ebony Jewelwings are common throughout the eastern United States, including South Carolina.
• They are typically found in forested areas near flowing water, such as streams and small rivers.
• They prefer areas with sufficient emergent and streamside vegetation for perching and egg-laying.
• While they prefer smaller, forested streams, they can also be found in other flowing water habitats, including those with intermittent rapids. 

Behavior

• Flight: They have a weak, fluttering flight, sometimes compared to a butterfly, and tend to stay close to the water.
• Perching: They often perch on streamside and emergent vegetation within a few feet of the water.
• Mating: Males are territorial and defend their territories along streams. Courtship involves a “cross” display and fluttering flights, and females signal acceptance by rapidly opening and closing their wings.
• Egg-laying: Females lay eggs in the soft stems of aquatic plants just below the water’s surface.
• Predatory: Both adults and naiads are predatory. Adults primarily feed on smaller insects like mosquitoes and flies, which they catch in midair. Naiads prey on aquatic insects and other invertebrates underwater. 

Lifecycle

• Adult Lifespan: Adults live for about 2-3 weeks, during which females lay a large number of eggs (up to 1700).

Common Damselfly Top Of Page

In South Carolina, common damselfly characteristics include slender, elongated bodies, delicate wings, and a preference for freshwater habitats. They are often seen near ponds, streams, and other shallow water sources. Damselflies are generally smaller and weaker fliers than dragonflies, and they typically hold their wings together above their bodies when at rest. 

• Size and Shape:Damselflies have a notably slender, elongated abdomen compared to the more robust bodies of dragonflies. 
• Wings:They possess two pairs of wings, which are membranous, elaborately veined, and held together above the body when at rest. 
• Eyes:Damselflies have large, compound eyes, but unlike dragonflies, their eyes do not touch. 
• Habitat:They are commonly found in and around shallow freshwater environments, such as ponds, streams, and marshes. 
• Flight:Damselflies are known for their graceful, but relatively weak, flight, often hovering or perching near vegetation. 
• Coloration:They exhibit a wide range of colors, including vibrant blues, greens, reds, and browns. 
• Behavior:Damselflies are generally less active during cooler temperatures and rely on sunlight for warmth to fly. 
• Feeding:Both nymphs and adults are predators, with adults typically consuming smaller insects like flies and mosquitoes. 
• Life Cycle:Damselflies spend a significant portion of their lives as aquatic nymphs before emerging as winged adults.