Butterflies, Moths, Dragonflies & Damselflies of Dayton, Ohio

Female Ebony Jewelwing, photographed in Adams County, Ohio. 

Male American Rubyspot. This is our other large metallic damselfly. American Rubyspots generally prefer fast-moving waters, such as rivers. They are very fond of water willows, and it is easy to find these beautiful damselflies by searching water willows along a riverbank. 

I photographed this young male American Rubyspot on May 28th. You can tell he is newly emerged because the eyes are still pale. I find Rubyspots from mid-May through late October, but they are particularly abundant in late summer and autumn. This species can linger late into fall.

Male Ebony Jewelwing. Their bodies can look green or blue, depending on the light. 

Female American Rubyspot, photographed in Adams County, Ohio. 

Another female American Rubyspot, lacking the typical red color. 

Ebony Jewelwing. This species is abundant near heavily-shaded woodland streams, from May through September. 

The Germantown MetroPark dam is a good place to find American Rubyspots. They can also be found along the banks of the Great Miami and Little Miami Rivers, some smaller streams, and occasionally at ponds.  

Female Ebony Jewelwings have a white spot (stigma) near their wingtips.