These large jewel-like damselflies are nearly 2 inches or 50 mm in length. The males have green eyes and a metallic green thorax and abdomen with a bluish sheen and all black, broad wings that lack stigmas. Females are dark green on the head and thorax and dark greenish-gray on the abdomen. They have black wings with large, white patches called pseudostigmas near the tip.
Jewelwings can be seen from late May to mid August flying and perching on vegetation along the north and south stream trail near Gifford Road in Fontenelle Forest. They are most common from early through mid-July.
Jewelwings have a fluttering flight and can be seen flying or perching along shady streams. They feed on small flying insects as they dart from their perch on vegetation near the shore. Both sexes signal their location by opening their wings and then snapping them closed. Males defend territories, especially areas with floating plant material as they are preferred oviposition sites for the female. The male remains near the female to guard her from other males while she lays eggs on aquatic plants. Most egg-laying occurs in the afternoon. The lifespan of the adults is about 6 weeks.
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