BRN 9-2 (uncompressed) - Flipbook - Page 19
American Rubyspot
The American Rubyspot, Hetaerina
americana (Fabricius, 1798), was
common along the Rio Grande banks
from spring through early winter,
reminiscent of the 2019 population.
Immature individuals emerged from
nursery beds of Paspalum, a grass that
was inundated during release of high,
somewhat erosive, volumes of water
throughout the mid-March to October
time period. Further photodocumentation of this attractive
species and behaviors may inform
researchers seeking archival material.
Q. Male turns its eyes vertically,
apparently to cleanse, adjust, or
otherwise address issues with
the eye/antennae/ocelli area by
using its tarsi/leg bristles.
07/19/24
R. Pale, tan, immature male perched
on a Paspalum panicle to which it
had ßown, indicating that it had
sufÞciently dried its wings,
following emergence, for ßight.
07/21/24
S. Next Page: Immature female
perched on a Paspalum panicle to
R
Q
18
which it had ßown; patterns with
developing color on her thorax
(brown), wing bases (orange), and
upper abdomen (brownish)
present as she matures. 07/21/24
