Widow Skimmer vs River Jewelwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Widow Skimmer | River Jewelwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Libellula luctuosa | Calopteryx aequabilis |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Libellulidae | Calopterygidae |
| Size | 60-68 mm wingspan | 42-54 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Widow Skimmer
A distinctive dragonfly with broad dark wing patches at the base and white bands beyond them in mature males. Females and young males lack the white bands.
Did You Know?
The widow skimmer gets its somber common name from the dark mourning-veil-like patches on the wings of females.
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.