Calopteryx maculata

Males are distinguished by entirely black, metallic wings and iridescent green bodies; females have translucent wings with distinct white pseudopterostigmata (false wing spots). Both sexes have broad, rounded wings typical of the family Calopterygidae. Distinguished from the similar Calopteryx dimidiata (sparkling jewelwing) by complete wing pigmentation in males—C. dimidiata males have only the outer half of wings black. Distinguished from other eastern damselflies by larger size, metallic body coloration, and wing shape.

Found along streams and rivers in forested areas. Adults use two distinct habitats: streamside sites where mature males hold territories and court females near the water surface, and off-stream tree-fall gaps (forest light gaps) where teneral males forage to build energy reserves. Nymphs develop in stream environments.

Eastern United States and southeastern Canada, ranging west to the Great Plains.

Adults active from late spring through summer; emergence timing varies with latitude.

Adults capture flying prey; teneral males forage in forest light gaps where suitable prey is more frequent than at stream sites. Nymphs are predatory in aquatic environments.

Aquatic nymphs emerge at stream sites. Teneral (newly emerged) males leave streams for off-stream forest gaps to forage and build energy reserves. Approximately 33% of teneral males move to stream sites within 4 days (mean distance 140 m) to establish territories as mature adults. Mature males remain at stream sites and do not leave.

Age-specific habitat selection: teneral males forage in off-stream gaps without interference from conspecifics, while mature males hold streamside territories and engage in aggressive interactions. Territorial males perch low (<1 m height), approach intruders more frequently than non-territorial males, and are particularly responsive to low-flying intruders. Males court females and guard ovipositing females.

Predator as both nymph (aquatic) and adult (terrestrial/aerial); nymphs contribute to stream food webs, adults transfer energy between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

• Calopteryx dimidiataMales have black wing pigmentation restricted to outer half of wing, versus entirely black wings in C. maculata
• Other Calopteryx speciesDistinguished by wing pigmentation patterns and geographic range; C. maculata is the only species with completely black-winged males in most of its range

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
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• Female and male interactions during courtship in Calopteryx maculata and C. dimidiata (Odonata: Calopterygidae): Influence of oviposition behaviour