Smoky Rubyspot
Hetaerina titia
This record describes Hetaerina titia (species). Recorded family: Calopterygidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Dark damselfly, males typically with some red in wings, though it could be obscured by darker infuscation. Females have varying amounts of color in the wings. Normal male Lightly marked male Female
Wikipedia reference for Hetaerina titia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hetaerina_titia.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
- Suborder
- Zygoptera
- Family
- Calopterygidae (Broad-winged Damselflies)
- Genus
- Hetaerina (Rubyspots)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Central and southeastern states, extending as far west as Texas
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Hetaerina titia. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Odonata includes ~6,000 described species of dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects, reaching 36 mph (58 km/h). They can fly in any direction including backward, and hover in place - each wing operates independently.
Ecological role of the group
Dragonflies predate dinosaurs by nearly 100 million years - fossils date to 325 million years ago. The largest dragonfly ancestor, Meganeuropsis permiana (285 mya), had a 75cm wingspan, enabled by atmospheric oxygen levels of 31-35% compared to today's 21%. Dragonflies have a 95% hunting success rate - the highest of any predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Dragonflies are voracious predators that consume hundreds of mosquitoes daily, providing natural pest control worth millions in reduced mosquito-borne disease risk. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Recorded sources for this group: Natural History Museum London, Britannica, fossil record research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Smoky Rubyspot (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Smoky Rubyspot
What is Smoky Rubyspot?
Smoky Rubyspot (Hetaerina titia) is a species in the family Calopterygidae, within the order Odonata.
How do you identify Smoky Rubyspot?
Dark damselfly, males typically with some red in wings, though it could be obscured by darker infuscation. Females have varying amounts of color in the wings. Normal male Lightly marked male Female
Where is Smoky Rubyspot found?
Range: Central and southeastern states, extending as far west as Texas