River Jewelwing vs Common Water Penny
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | River Jewelwing | Common Water Penny |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calopteryx aequabilis | Psephenus herricki |
| Order | Odonata | Coleoptera |
| Family | Calopterygidae | Psephenidae |
| Size | 42-54 mm | 4-6 mm (adults); 6-10 mm (larvae) |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
River Jewelwing
A North American damselfly with narrow dark wing tips in males and a metallic green body. It prefers faster-flowing rivers than the Ebony Jewelwing.
Did You Know?
Males have dark tips on otherwise clear wings, the reverse pattern of most other jewelwings.
Common Water Penny
A small aquatic beetle whose larvae are flattened and round like a copper penny, clinging to rocks in fast streams. Adults are terrestrial and short-lived.
Did You Know?
Larvae are so flat they can cling to rocks in torrential currents that would wash away most other insects.