River Jewelwing vs Mascarene Spreadwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute River Jewelwing Mascarene Spreadwing
Scientific Name Calopteryx aequabilis Lestes auripennis
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Calopterygidae Lestidae
Size 42-54 mm 3.5-4.5 cm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions North America Mauritius, Reunion
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

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.

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Did You Know?

Males have dark tips on otherwise clear wings, the reverse pattern of most other jewelwings.

Mascarene Spreadwing

A rare damselfly endemic to Mauritius and Reunion in the Mascarene Islands. It breeds in slow-flowing streams with overhanging vegetation.

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Did You Know?

Most of Mauritius's original wetland habitat has been converted to sugar cane fields.