Description: 39-57 mm. Large, dark metallic green damselfly with broad black wings. Male: Brown eyes. Brilliant green body often appears blue, depending on lighting. Female: similar but dull, more brown-colored wings with bright white stigma. Immatures have paler wings than adult.

Identification: River Jewelwing typically smaller with narrower wings. All ages and sexes of Ebony lack heavily contrasting pale wing bases and black tips of River, though some female individuals could require close inspection of this to identify.Some Smoky Rubyspots have all black wings, but they are narrower and the body is black rather than green.

Habitat: Variable streams, always close to the water. Usually prefers clean streams with quick rapids, but also regularly found at slow-moving ranging in size from small creeks to large rivers. Often in shaded areas though sometimes found in open if near stream and woodland cover. Widespread and common in correct habitat in the east and midwest.

Natural History: Can be very abundant at streams where it is found. Active throughout much of the day. Often in groups at larger streams, sometimes with other species of jewelwings and rubyspots. Beautiful, buoyant flight and courtship displays, with male landing on wings of female. Much time spent perched on vegetation, where females often lay eggs. Short adult lifespan typically about two weeks. Long flight season lasts from May to Oct. throughout much of range, nearly all year in deep south.

Andrew Theus adapted from OdonataCentral.org