Broad Winged Damselflies

Calopterygoidea comprise 5 Ohio species. Two are common (Ebony Jewelwing, American Rubyspot), another (Smoky Rubyspot) less so. River Jewelwing now appears to be limited to Geauga Co. Appalachian Jewelwing is considered to be extirpated. Broad winged damselflies breed in running water. They are typically found perched or fluttering around the edges of a creek or river, although they occasionally can be found in small ponds located close to running water. Ebony Jewelwings, which prefer small creeks, are the only species in this family that can be regularly found more than 100’ away from lotic habitat during their teneral period.

See Making and Testing Hypotheses in Natural History: Microhabitat Selection by Hetaerina americana and Hetaerina titia and Ohio Spreadwings