NC Odonate Website

Related Species in CALOPTERYGIDAE:

Number of records for 2025 = 2

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Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata) by Owen McConnell

Compare with: Superb Jewelwing Appalachian Jewelwing Sparkling Jewelwing Smoky Rubyspot
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 in females.

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Map

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

Flight Charts

Distribution

Statewide, lacking records only in four far eastern counties, though likely present in all 100 counties.

Abundance

Very common (to locally abundant) across the state, except less numerous in the eastern Coastal Plain. Seemingly rare in counties surrounding Albemarle Sound, and perhaps absent on the Outer Banks. One of the most abundant odonates in the mountain province.

Flight

Early April to late October in the Coastal Plain; late April or early May to early October in the Piedmont, and to late September in the mountains.

Habitat

A wide variety of stream habitats, but most common along small forested streams.

See also Habitat Account for Wet-Mesic Forests with Seepages/Headwater Streams

Behavior

Where present, easily seen flitting slowly amid vegetation close to a stream, usually in shade or in small openings inside a forest.

Comments

This is, by far, our most commonly seen member of the Family Calopterygidae (Broad-winged Damsels), and it is also one of the most obvious and easily identified of all of our damselflies.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-17 15:17:24

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Ebony Jewelwing 53 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: P Dixon Comment: Buncombe, 2025-02-05, Flat Creek, 1 mile north of Hwy 25/70		Photo 2 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Macon, 2024-07-24, Wilson Lakes, Nantahala National Forest
	Photo 3 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2024-07-05, Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest - 11:00AM along edge of creek		Photo 4 by: Mark Shields Comment: Alexander, 2023-05-11, Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area - female near summit
	Photo 5 by: Jesss Comment: New Hanover, 2022-06-30, - Male, along Sugarloaf Trail near Marina (CABE)		Photo 6 by: John Petranka Comment: Durham, 2022-06-24, NHCBS, New Hope Creek Bottomlands, Loop Trail, east section
	Photo 7 by: Nora Murdock Comment: Swain, 2022-06-06,		Photo 8 by: Nora Murdock Comment: Swain, 2022-06-06,
	Photo 9 by: John Petranka Comment: Alamance, 2021-05-21, Sunny patches on upland trails near the Haw River at Shallow Ford Natural Area. - 1 male, 1 female. Photo is of male.		Photo 10 by: Guy McGrane Comment: Watauga, 2020-08-01, Brookshire Park - pic w/white wing spot-female
	Photo 11 by: Mike Turner Comment: Cumberland, 2020-05-18, retention pond @ 35.0858, -78.9181		Photo 12 by: Mark Swanson Comment: Avery, 2019-06-04, Male and female photographed near the Linville River. Photo 1 shows male swooping in to grab female. Photo 2 shows same female depositing eggs.
	Photo 13 by: Mark Swanson Comment: Avery, 2019-06-04, Male and female photographed near the Linville River. Same female as in previous photo, depositing eggs.		Photo 14 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2019-05-11, Campbell University- Marshbanks Property- In excess of 35 individuals
	Photo 15 by: Mike Turner Comment: Richmond; C, 2018-09-04, Naked Creek @ SR 1003 (Derby Rd.)		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-25, Tuckasegee River at Jackson County Greenway, northwest of Cullowhee
	Photo 17 by: Ken Kneidel Comment: Catawba, 2018-06-24, Jacob Fork Park, Newton		Photo 18 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2018-06-02, Flat Branch
	Photo 19 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2018-05-15, my property, Holly Ridge - male along small seepage stream		Photo 20 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Moore; C, 2017-07-19, Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, Gum Swamp and Pine Island trails - male (most were females)
	Photo 21 by: Guy McGrane Comment: Watauga, 2017-07-17, Boone Greenway-along South Fork New River		Photo 22 by: Barbara McRae Comment: Macon, 2017-07-03, Franklin; small tributary of Burningtown Creek, Saldeer Mtn. - Two mating pairs
	Photo 23 by: Mark Shields Comment: Ashe, 2017-06-27, New River State Park (NERI), Wagoner Access		Photo 24 by: Curtis Smalling Comment: McDowell; M, 2017-06-06, at North Fork Catawba River 35.839236 -81.98814
	Photo 25 by: Mark Shields Comment: Burke; P, 2017-06-04, Catawba Meadows Park, Morganton		Photo 26 by: Mark Shields Comment: Mitchell, 2017-06-03, Cane Creek at Wade Tipton Memorial Ball Park, Bakersville
	Photo 27 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jones, 2017-04-11, Weetock Trail near Haywood Landing, Croatan National Forest		Photo 28 by: Mark Shields Comment: Duplin, 2016-08-26, Northeast Cape Fear River, Kenansville Boating Access
	Photo 29 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Graham, 2016-06-12, Tulula Wetlands, females		Photo 30 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2016-05-27, Black River