Superb jewelwing facts for kids
The superb jewelwing (Calopteryx amata) is a beautiful type of damselfly. It belongs to the family Calopterygidae. You can find this insect in North America. It lives in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. Its range goes as far south as Tennessee.
Quick facts for kids Superb jewelwing |
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Calopterygidae
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C. amata
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| Calopteryx amata Hagen, 1889
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Contents
What Does the Superb Jewelwing Look Like?
The superb jewelwing is a fairly small insect. It grows to be about 2 inches (5 cm) long.
Male Jewelwings
Male superb jewelwings are very striking. They have a bright, shiny metallic green body. Their wings also have special amber (yellow-orange) markings. These markings make them easy to spot.
Female Jewelwings
Female superb jewelwings look a bit different. Their bodies have a bronze color. Their wings are greenish. The tips of their wings are white. This helps you tell them apart from the males.
Where Do Superb Jewelwings Live?
Superb jewelwings like to live near water. They prefer clear rivers and streams. These waterways usually have lots of plants nearby. The plants provide good places for them to rest and hunt.
Behavior and Diet
Adult superb jewelwings are active during the summer. You can usually see them flying around in June and July. Both adult damselflies and their young (called nymphs) eat smaller insects. They are important predators in their habitats.
Male superb jewelwings are known to be territorial. This means they will defend their chosen area. They might chase away other males. Sometimes, you can find superb jewelwings living near other types of dragonflies. One example is the Ophiogomphus genus of dragonflies.
