American Rubyspot vs Golden-Ringed Dragonfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Rubyspot | Golden-Ringed Dragonfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hetaerina americana | Cordulegaster boltonii |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Calopterygidae | Cordulegastridae |
| Size | 40-50 mm | 76-84 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | North America, Central America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
American Rubyspot
A graceful damselfly with brilliant ruby-red patches at the base of the wings in males. Its metallic red-bronze body gleams in sunlight along stream banks.
Did You Know?
Males aggressively defend stream territories, clashing with rivals by displaying their ruby wing patches.
Golden-Ringed Dragonfly
The longest dragonfly in Britain, adorned with bold black and yellow rings along its body. Females have a conspicuous ovipositor used to inject eggs into stream beds.
Did You Know?
The larvae of golden-ringed dragonflies live buried in stream sediment for up to five years before emerging as adults, ambushing prey from their sandy hideouts.