Ebony Jewelwing vs Common Darter
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ebony Jewelwing | Common Darter |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calopteryx maculata | Sympetrum striolatum |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Calopterygidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 39-57 mm body | 35-44 mm body length |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe, Northern Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Ebony Jewelwing
A stunning damselfly with entirely jet-black wings (males) or smoky wings with white spots (females). Males perform a courtship display by opening and closing their dark wings.
Did You Know?
Male ebony jewelwings perform a butterfly-like courtship dance, slowly fluttering their dramatic black wings to catch sunlight and impress females perched on streamside vegetation.
Common Darter
Europe's most abundant dragonfly, with mature males turning bright orange-red. It is often the last dragonfly flying in autumn, sometimes into November.
Did You Know?
Mating pairs lay eggs by repeatedly dipping the female's abdomen into the water while flying in tandem.