Ebony Jewelwing damselfies

Several Ebony Jewelwing damselflies (Calopteryx maculata) spotted during a photowalk through the “Wildlife Sanctuary,” one of seven small parks owned and maintained by the Community Association of Hollin Hills (CAHH), Fairfax County, Virginia USA. The individuals shown in the preceding photo gallery are males, as indicated by their metallic green bodies and opaque black wings. (Females have dull brown bodies and smoky wings with bright white spots near their wingtips.)

The Ebony Jewelwing is one of eight species of broad-winged damselflies, a family of medium-size damselflies that have butterfly-like flight. Like all broad-winged damselflies, Ebony Jewelwing damselflies are usually found along small creeks and streams, near the water.

Related Resources:

• “Dragonflies & Damselflies – An Introduction to Familiar, Widespread North American Species” — a very handy pocket field guide to dragonflies and damselflies, including the Ebony Jewelwing
• Walking Tour of CAHH Parks

Tags: Broad-winged Damselflies, Calopteryx maculata, Ebony Jewelwing damselfly, Family Calopterygidae, male, wildlife photography, Wildlife Sanctuary