Superb Jewelwing - Caloptéryx élancé
(Calopteryx amata)

Range/Distribution:
 
Typical Flight Period: early June to mid August     (records: Jun 6 - Aug 11)



male

male

male

female
 
small
(65KB)
large
(134KB)
small
(47KB)
large
(102KB)
small
(48KB)
large
(106KB)
small
(49KB)
large
(109KB)
 

male
(87KB)

male
(42KB)

female
(77KB)
 

Description: The Superb Jewelwing is our largest and least common Jewelwing (though not uncommon) and is typically found along rivers, brooks and streams.

The males have an irridescent green thorax and abdomen which can appear blue under certain conditions. The wings are typically tinted amber (though sometimes very pale) and the tip of the hindwings (1/4 to 1/5) is a darker amber colour than the rest of the wing.

The females have a bronze to green thorax and abomen but are not as brilliantly coloured as the males. Their wings are also tinted amber but lack the darker tip on the hindwing and they have a white spot (the stigma) on the leading edge of their wings (near the tip)

Note: the above photo of a female shows a darker tip on the wing but the wings were actually the same colour from base to tip.   The darker appearance in the photo was due to the darker background (green vegetation) behind the tip of the wings and had I noticed it at the time I was taking the photos, I would have adjusted for it.   You can also see a small darker spot about 1/3 of the way out on the wing caused by the same thing.