Jewelwings

 Jewelwings are broadwing damselflies. Damselflies are different from dragonflies because all four of their wings are approximately the same size and shape. With dragonflies their front wings are a different size and shape then their hind wings. Broadwinged damselflies get their name because the base of their wings gradually broaden unlike other damselfly families whose wings connect to the thorax in more of a stalk shape.

Here in Minnesota we have only 3 species of broadwing damselfly. They are the American rubyspot, which is a metallic red in color, and the two jewelwings. The two species that we have look very similar with a metallic green thorax and abdomen. The difference is in the wings. The wings of the ebony jewelwing, top, are entirely black where the river jewelwing has wings that are black at the tip and clear at the base. Both of these species are usually found around rivers and they often share the same habitat. Jewelwings with a white stigma, white spot on the wing, indicate that the damselfly is a female.