Cover photo by Nick Hart.
Family Chlorocyphidae
Identification
Mulanje, Malawi
Photo by Gary Brown
Small size
Length up to 31mm; Wingspan attains 56mm.
Males are unmistakable within the sub-region.
The Ruby Jewel can be told apart from the Platycypha caligata (Dancing Jewel) and Platycypha fitzsimonsi (Boulder Jewel) by having a vivid, all-red abdomen and thin dark coloured legs. The Platycypha jewels have vivid blue on the upper surface of the abdomen and broad, flattened lower legs that are white on the inner surface and red on the outside.
Female Ruby Jewels are very similar to those of the Platycypha jewels, and are best identified by their association with the males.
Click here for more details on identification.
Habitat
The Ruby Jewel inhabits forested streams and rivers with clear, flowing water and dappled light.
Behaviour
This species sits close to the water on rocks, tree roots, or on overhanging vegetation. The Ruby Jewel is usually reluctant to fly.
The Ruby Jewel is on the wing from November to May
Status and Conservation
The continued presence of this species in South Africa is uncertain and it may well be regionally extinct. In the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species it is listed as Critically Endangered for South Africa, but overall as of Least Concern.
Distribution
There is currently no distribution map for this species. More data is required.
There are three old records for this species from northern and central KwaZulu-Natal. Subsequent searches have not lead to the rediscovery of the species in the country. It is doubtful weather this species is resident in South Africa.
The Ruby Jewel has a disjunct distribution in South-East Africa. Occurs in southern DRC, northern Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe and neighbouring Mozambique.
Further Resources
The use of photographs by Gary Brown and Nick Hart is acknowledged.
Ruby Jewel Chlorocypha consueta (Karsch, 1899)
Other common names: Rooijuweeltjie (Afrikaans).
Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M; Navarro R; Tippett RM; Underhill L. 2025. Ruby Jewel Chlorocypha consueta. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2020/08/24/ruby-jewel-chlorocypha-consueta/
References: Tarboton, M; Tarboton, W. (2019). A Guide to the Dragonflies & Damselflies of South Africa. Struik Nature.
Samways, MJ. (2008). Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa. Pensoft
Samways, MJ. (2016). Manual of Freshwater Assessment for South Africa: Dragonfly Biotic Index.Suricata 2. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria
