New Jersey Endangered and Threatened Species Field Guide
Zoom+ An adult male superb jewelwing. © Allen BarlowSuperb jewelwing
Calopteryx amata
Species Group: Invertebrate
Conservation Status
State: Threatened
IDENTIFICATION
Ranging from 2.0” to 2.2”, the superb jewelwing is the largest metallic green damselfly in New Jersey. Male superb jewelwings have a strikingly green head, thorax, and abdomen; their amber-colored hindwings are tipped in light brown. The head, abdomen, and thorax of the female may appear more bronze than their male counterparts and their hindwings are a lighter green color with a small, white stigma at the tip.
Zoom+ Range of the superb jewelwing in New Jersey.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
This rare damselfly is found along the eastern coast from Maine to North Carolina but is limited in New Jersey to northwestern Sussex County in areas with fast-moving streams, dense canopy and abundant stream vegetation.
DIET
Nymphs eat a wide variety of aquatic insects and larvae. The adult’s diet mainly consists of soft-bodied flying insects like mosquitoes, flies, and moths.
LIFE CYCLE
This jewelwing is active from early June through mid-July with peak activity occurring in June.
CURRENT STATUS, THREATS, AND CONSERVATION
Due to its limited range and habitat vulnerability, the superb jewelwing is considered Threatened in New Jersey.
Text derived from the book, Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Jersey. 2009. By Allen E. Barlow, David M. Golden and Jim Bangma. Edited and updated by Karena Di Leo in 2011.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Calopterygidae
Genus: Calopteryx
Species: C. amata
Find Related Info: Invertebrates, Threatened
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