Insects diurnal

American Rubyspot

Hetaerina americana

With its shimmering metallic body and blood-red wing bases, the American Rubyspot is a living jewel of the riverbank. This elegant damselfly brings a flash of tropical color to North American waterways throughout the summer months.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 1.5 to 1.8 inches (39–46 mm); Wingspan: 2.0 to 2.4 inches (50–60 mm)

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Colors

Males feature a brilliant ruby-red head and thorax with distinctive red patches at the base of each wing; females exhibit copper or green thorax markings and lack the red wing spots. Both sexes possess a lustrous, metallic green abdomen.

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Key Features

Brilliant ruby-red patches at the base of wings (males)
Metallic green abdomen on both sexes
Stiff, fluttering flight pattern
Preference for perching on vegetation near flowing water

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

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Season June–September

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Diet Carnivorous; primarily feeds on small flying insects like gnats, midges, and mosquitoes caught mid-air or gleaned from riverside vegetation.

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Habitat Edges of medium to large streams and rivers with moderate current and plentiful emergent vegetation or sun-drenched rocks.

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Behavior

American Rubyspots are highly energetic damselflies often found patrolling the sun-drenched banks of streams and rivers. Unlike many other damselflies that prefer stagnant ponds, these 'broad-winged' beauties are river specialists. Males are intensely territorial, claiming specific perching spots on overhanging leaves, reeds, or rocks. They spend much of their day defending these spots from rivals in swirling, aerial dogfights, flashing their red wing patches as a warning to intruders.

During the heat of the day, you'll see them making short, darting flights to snatch tiny midges and gnats out of the air. They are remarkably bold and can often be observed from just a few feet away if you move slowly. After a successful hunt, they almost always return to a favorite perch to consume their prey, making them excellent subjects for patient observers. Their flight is distinct—a stiff, butterfly-like flutter that is slower than many other dragonfly species.

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Camera Tips

To capture the American Rubyspot, your camera should be positioned near moving water. These damselflies are 'perchers,' meaning they consistently return to the same twig, reed, or rock. Look for a sun-exposed branch overhanging a stream and set your camera's focus point on that specific spot. A tripod or a stable mount at knee-height is ideal, as they rarely fly high above the water's surface.

Because they are small and fast, use a camera with a high-speed trigger or a 'pre-roll' video feature if available. If your AI camera allows for custom zones, focus the detection on a frequently used perch. Lighting is critical; the 'ruby' in their name only truly pops in direct sunlight. Aim for a 45-degree angle relative to the sun to capture the metallic sheen of their abdomen and the translucence of their wings without washing out the color.

In terms of settings, a fast shutter speed (at least 1/1000s) is necessary to freeze their fluttering wings if you are taking stills. For backyard enthusiasts with water features, you can lure them by ensuring your pond has a small recirculating pump to create moving water and by planting native grasses like Juncus or sedges that provide the vertical perches they crave. They are most active during the hottest part of the day, so ensure your camera is shaded or has adequate heat management while it waits for the sun-loving rubyspot to land.

Don't be afraid to get close—within 2 to 3 feet is often possible if the camera is stationary and silent. Macro attachments or a lens with a short minimum focus distance will significantly improve your results, allowing the AI to better distinguish the red head from the surrounding greenery. If you are using a trail camera, look for macro modes or use a close-up lens filter to prevent the subject from being a tiny, blurry speck in the frame.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with American Rubyspot.

Smoky Rubyspot

Males have darker, almost blackish wing tips and a brownish-maroon thorax rather than bright red.

Ebony Jewelwing

Easily distinguished by their entirely black or charcoal wings and the lack of any red coloration.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are strictly diurnal and love the heat. You’ll find them most active during the sunniest hours, typically between 10 AM and 4 PM, when the direct light makes their metallic colors glow most intensely.

American Rubyspots are attracted to moving water. A backyard stream or a pond with a waterfall or fountain is essential. Provide tall, emergent vegetation or overhanging branches where they can perch and hunt for midges.

They are aerial predators that eat a variety of small insects, including mosquitoes, midges, and small flies. They often hunt by 'sallying' out from a perch to catch prey in mid-air before returning to the same spot.

They are common in suburban areas that have healthy, flowing streams or rivers nearby. They are less likely to be found in dry urban environments or near stagnant, standing water like small ornamental ponds without pumps.

While both have red wing bases, the American Rubyspot male has a bright red head and thorax, whereas the Smoky Rubyspot has a darker, brownish-red thorax and the wing color is often deeper and more extensive.

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