Nebraska Dragonflies and Damselflies

American Rubyspot

Hetaerina americana

Fabricius, 1798

The male American Rubyspot has a metallic red head and thorax and a dull metallic green abdomen. The inner 1/3 of the wing is also red.

The female is mostly metalic green, including the whole front of the thorax, while the lower sides of the abdomen, including the ovipositor, are pale tan. The female decends underwater for 30-60 minutes to oviposit.

Very common. This transcontinental species is found with jewelwings in some situations, but it prefers larger streams and rivers, where it usually flies close to the bank and perches on vegetation hanging over the water. It is occasionally found on ponds and lakes in Sandhills counties when no suitable streams are present, but as single individuals. When found on streams or small rivers it is almost always common. Like the jewelwings, this species shows up early in the day and stays late.

Green indicates accepted county record (specimen or photograph).
Yellow indicates sight record only.