American Rubyspot vs South American Clearwing Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute American Rubyspot South American Clearwing Moth
Scientific Name Hetaerina americana Carmenta theobromae
Order Odonata Lepidoptera
Family Calopterygidae Sesiidae
Size 40-50 mm 18-25 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Farmland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America, Central America Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

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.

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Did You Know?

Males aggressively defend stream territories, clashing with rivals by displaying their ruby wing patches.

South American Clearwing Moth

A small wasp-mimicking clearwing moth with transparent wings and a banded black-and-yellow abdomen. It is a significant pest of cacao trees in South America.

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Did You Know?

Its resemblance to a stinging wasp is so convincing that even experienced entomologists sometimes mistake it for one in the field.