Ebony Jewelwing vs Terminalis Spongillafly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ebony Jewelwing Terminalis Spongillafly
Scientific Name Calopteryx maculata Sisyra terminalis
Order Odonata Neuroptera
Family Calopterygidae Sisyridae
Size 39-57 mm body 7-10 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Tundra & Arctic
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America Europe, Central Asia
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.

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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.

Terminalis Spongillafly

A Palearctic spongillafly with dark wing tips found near clean freshwater systems. Indicator of good water quality and healthy sponge populations.

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Did You Know?

Its presence near a waterway is considered an indicator of excellent freshwater quality.