25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - RUBYSPOT (HATAERINA)

Hetaerina is a genus of damselflies in the family Calopterygidae. They are commonly known as rubyspots because of the deep red wing bases of the males. The name is from Ancient Greek: ἑταίρα (hetaira), courtesan. H. rudis, the Guatemalan rubyspot, is considered vulnerable on the IUCN Red Data List.

The Hetaerina genus alone encompasses roughly 40 species in a variety of habitats throughout the Americas. Recent phylogenetic analyses for the Heterininae subfamily suggest that the genera Mneserate and Ormenophlebia are actually nestled within their sister genus, Hetaerina, which would account for the species confusion of early Mnesarete and Hetaerina studies.

Hetaerinae species primarily inhabit streams and rivers, showing highest levels of diversity in the tropical regions of South America. Most species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of South and Central America, with only H. americana, H. titia, and H. vulnerata ranging further north than Mexico. Rubyspots, like all Odonates, are visual predators that prefer sunny environments for prey capture as well as social signaling.