NC Odonate Website

Related Species in CALOPTERYGIDAE:		Number of records for 2025 = 4
Added in 2025-00-00 from a previous year = 1 (2024-06-15)

PDF has more details,
e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
[View PDF]

Sparkling Jewelwing (Calopteryx dimidiata) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Superb Jewelwing Appalachian Jewelwing Ebony Jewelwing
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and females.

[Google images] [Global Biodiversity Information Facility] iNaturalist

Map

Click on county for list of all its records for Sparkling Jewelwing

Flight Charts

Distribution

Nearly statewide, but seemingly absent from the northeastern third of the Coastal Plain -- the "Pamlimarle Peninsula" and the counties north of Albemarle Sound. Of spotty occurrence in the mountains, but likely present in all counties there except perhaps ones lacking low elevations (e.g., Yancey, Mitchell, Avery, Watauga).

Abundance

Locally common (to occasionally abundant) in the southern Coastal Plain, including the Sandhills. Uncommon (with relatively few recent records) throughout the Piedmont and central/northern Coastal Plain, except for the northeastern third of the latter province, where rare to absent. Very rare in the mountains. Seems to be declining in numbers in the Piedmont and mountains, and probably also in most of the central and northern Coastal Plain.

Flight

Early April to early October in the Coastal Plain, but so far just from mid-May to mid-September in the Piedmont. Though there are at least nine counties with records for the mountains, we have flight data only from early June to mid-August.

Habitat

Small to moderate streams as well as blackwater rivers, generally where fast-flowing and acidic, and not necessarily in forested areas (though favoring semi-shaded waters).

Behavior

The black wingtips of the males are very conspicuous and make the individuals much easier to spot in flight over their shaded creeks than would be if the wings were clear. However, this species is more often found in sunnier places -- wider creeks or rivers -- than is the more shade-loving Ebony Jewelwing.

Comments

Range maps in Paulson (2011) and Beaton (2007) show all of NC within the range of the species. This may be generous and "broad-brush", as it appears to be truly absent in northeastern NC and maybe absent in some of the northern mountain counties. The species is surprisingly rare in the mountains, considering its relative numbers in the Piedmont. Also, despite the heavy amount of odonate field work in the northeastern Piedmont, where many biologists live, there are no recent records there!

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-17 15:15:33

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
Home Page	Search	Odonate Resources	Maps	Login	NC Biodiversity Project	Comments

Photo Gallery for Sparkling Jewelwing 30 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Franklin, 2025-05-23, Tar River from Sims Bridge to Louisburg		Photo 2 by: Jeffrey Pippen Comment: Cumberland, 2025-05-09, CACR - Sandhills Access
	Photo 3 by: Jeff Niznik Comment: Scotland, 2024-07-13, Lumber River State Park Chalk Banks, iNaturalist #266848502 - Female		Photo 4 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Moore; C, 2024-06-11, Weymouth Woods State Natural Area
	Photo 5 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2024-05-07, Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest - 12:35PM along the forested creek		Photo 6 by: Mike Turner Comment: Moore; C, 2022-06-25, Sandhill Game Lands - Drowning Creek at Thunder Rd.
	Photo 7 by: Max Ramey, Aaron Reb Comment: Wilkes; P, 2021-07-17, Kerr Scott Dam/ Yadkin River (Dam to 1000 ft downstream)		Photo 8 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Pender, 2021-05-24, Black River downstream of Hunts Bluff
	Photo 9 by: Mark Shields Comment: Scotland, 2021-05-01, Lumber River State Park (LURI) - Chalk Banks		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields Comment: Scotland, 2021-05-01, Lumber River State Park (LURI) - Chalk Banks
	Photo 11 by: E. Conway, N. Williamson, M. Prinz Comment: Moore; C, 2020-07-29, Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve - adult male at moccasin crossing		Photo 12 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Rockingham, 2020-06-24, Haw River State Park
	Photo 13 by: Doug Allen Comment: Polk; P, 2020-06-11, Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) - near stream		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields Comment: Hoke, 2018-09-03, Lumber River, from Wagram Boating Access Area to Lumber River State Park-Chalk Banks boat ramp and back, by kayak
	Photo 15 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips, Cathy Songer Comment: Brunswick, 2018-09-01, Rice's and Town creeks, from Rice's Creek Boating Access Area to US 17 bridge, by kayak		Photo 16 by: Mike Turner, Conrad Wernett, Alyssa Wernett Comment: Scotland, 2017-05-07, Sandhill Game Land; creek at SR 1328 (Hoffman Rd)
	Photo 17 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jones, 2017-04-11, Island Creek trail, Croatan National Forest		Photo 18 by: Mark Shields Comment: Robeson, 2016-09-25, Lumber River, between Boardman Boating Access and Piney Island Campsite
	Photo 19 by: Mark Shields Comment: Columbus, 2016-08-27, Lumber River, between Boardman Boating Access and Lumber River State Park Princess Ann Access		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2016-05-27, Black River between Henry's Landing and Hunt's Bluff Boating Access
	Photo 21 by: Mark Shields Comment: Bladen, 2016-05-27, Black River between Henry's Landing and Hunt's Bluff Boating Access		Photo 22 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Jones, 2015-07-26 - Four counted, several others seen along Island Creek. Odd note, not a single male found.
	Photo 23 by: Conrad Wernett, Alyssa Wernett Comment: Richmond; C, 2015-06-14 - Males and female in foliage along Lake McKinney drainage		Photo 24 by: Kyle Kittelberger Comment: Moore; C, 2013-06-12, Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve - seen along James Creek and at beaver ponds
	Photo 25 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Bud Webster Comment: Transylvania, 2012-08-15, Brevard area - Male & Female		Photo 26 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Bud Webster Comment: Transylvania, 2012-08-15, Brevard area - Male & Female
	Photo 27 by: Ali Iyoob, Matt Daw, Dan Irizarry Comment: Richmond; C, 2011-05-05, McKinney Lake Fish Hatchery		Photo 28 by: Lee Cramer Comment: Mecklenburg, 2010-07-06, Umbrella Trail, Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve - female
	Photo 29 by: Beth Brinson Comment: Guilford, 2009-06-19, Haw River State Park - male		Photo 30 by: E. Corey Comment: Cumberland, 2006-06-30, Carvers Creek State Park - In creek near Atlantic White-cedar