On Sunday morning, I met some master naturalist friends at Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory. Our intent was to photograph birds, but we got sidetracked by the insects. In a couple of different locations during our walk, we saw several Smoky Rubyspot damselflies congregating on a vine. As predictable as they are, once I saw one rest on a stick, I started watching that area. I took several photos from various angles using my regular camera, but these two were captured with my Samsung S23 phone. I was able to get within 2 inches (5 cm) of these insects for these images.
When I looked at the photos later, one thing jumped out at me: the two damselflies looked like completely different creatures. iNaturalist identified both as the same species — Smoky Rubyspot (Hetaerina titia) — and it was right. What I had actually photographed was a male and a female.
The one on the pale twig, glowing with a metallic green thorax and a blue-green abdomen, is the female. Females of this species are the greener of the two, with a brown thorax that carries a bright metallic shine and a darker abdomen. Her wings are a smooth, even smoky brown with no red at all.
The darker individual on the dried vine is the male. He wears the badge that gives the whole group its name: a red “ruby” spot at the base of the wings. In Smoky Rubyspots, the males are famously variable — their wings can range from lightly smoky to almost entirely black — but that flush of red near the body is the tell. Against his dark, almost sooty body, it is easy to miss until the light catches it.
Although I shot these on my Samsung S23 phone, it is a small reminder of why I keep the macro habit. Two insects on the same vine, minutes apart, and only by getting close — and later, by looking closely — did the story reveal itself: not two species, but a pair.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Austin, Cellpic Sunday, Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory, Macros, Smoky Rubyspot, Texas, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Posted for John’s Cellpic Sunday.
Sources
- BugGuide — Hetaerina titia (Smoky Rubyspot): bugguide.net/node/view/11324
- Greg Lasley — Smoky Rubyspot (Hetaerina titia): greglasley.com/content/NorthAmericanDragonfliesandDamselflies/SmokyRubyspot.php
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Smoky Rubyspot: fws.gov/species/smoky-rubyspot-hetaerina-titia
- Wisconsin Odonata Survey — Smoky Rubyspot: wiatri.net/inventory/odonata/speciesaccounts/SpeciesDetail.cfm?TaxaID=24
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Vicki
Great shots, Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Vicki.
Anne Sandler
Great shots Egidio. It was good of them to pose so well for you!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne. I was surprised I was able to get that close, too.
Toonsarah
Excellent images of a beautiful insect! I’m very surprised you could get that close to be able to take close-ups with your phone.
Egidio Leitao
Sarah, I took several shots with my regular camera. However, I wanted to see how close this damselfly would allow me near it. They seem to be very tolerant and comfortable around humans. Thanks for the feedback.
pamperrault21
Pure amazingness!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your comment.