| Medium-sized damselflies common on rivers and streams of all sizes in Costa Rica. They are only rarely seen at lakes and ponds. The family is represented in Costa Rica only by the genus Hetaerina (Ruby spots) with 10 species. To date, 5 of these have been recorded in the Monteverde inventory. The males can be instantly identified by the scarlet patch at the base of the fore and hind wings. The wings are clear, but can darken with age. Some species have well-defined smoky or red wing tips. The head and thorax are brown to black and often display metallic red, purple, or green markings. The wings of the female are usually tinted gold-brown, which is denser near the wing base. The clypeus and labrum of the female are often distinctively marked with cream or metallic red or green markings. The thorax is usually dull brown with green and black markings. Some species lack stigmas in both sexes. The male abdominal appendages are useful for distinguishing species. |
