Fauna
Insect

River Jewelwing

Calopteryx aequabilis

River jewelwings flash metallic green-blue bodies and broad, dark-tipped wings as they flutter with a moth-like beat above sunlit streams. Males stake out territories along riffles and overhanging branches, performing hovering courtship dances before females that descend underwater to lay eggs in submerged plant stems. Females are easily told apart by their duller bronze-green sheen and a tiny white spot near the tip of each brownish wing.

DiurnalRiparianIridescent
River Jewelwing reference1 / 7
(c) Blair Dudeck, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyMidges, Mosquitoes, Small flies
Predators
  • Insectivorous birds
  • Frogs
  • Larger dragonflies
ThreatsWater pollution, agricultural runoff, river damming, and clearing of riparian buffers
HabitatsClear, moderately flowing rivers and large streams with gravel beds and streamside vegetation
Life span1–2 years as nymph; 2–4 weeks as adult
Classification
  1. FamilyCalopterygidae
  2. SpeciesCalopteryx aequabilis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Where to Look: Scan sunlit rocks and overhanging streamside shrubs along clear, steady-flowing rivers in summer.
  • Field ID: Look for clear wing bases with bold dark outer tips, unlike the all-black wings of ebony jewelwings.
  • Approach Slowly: Move gently along the bank to avoid flushing territorial males from their favorite perches.
Related species
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