American Rubyspot

Despite sometimes being grouped with dragonflies, the American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana) is actually a damselfly belonging to the family Calopterygidae, commonly known as broad-winged damselflies. Damselflies typically have slenderer bodies than dragonflies and fold their wings together over their abdomen when at rest.

Male American Rubyspots are distinguished by vivid metallic crimson-red coloration at the base of their wings, which becomes more intense and extensive as they age. Their bodies are typically metallic bronze or copper, and the combination of the ruby-red wing bases with the metallic body creates a striking appearance.

Hetaerina americana is found across much of North America, from southern Canada through the United States and into Mexico and Central America. They are typically found near streams, rivers, and other flowing water bodies where males establish and defend territories along the banks.

The American Rubyspot was first described by the Danish entomologist Johan Christian Fabricius in 1798. Fabricius was a student of Carl Linnaeus and described thousands of insect species, making him one of the most important entomologists of the 18th century.