Everything you need to know about this hunter around forest streams
What is the stream ruby (Heliocypha bisignata)?
Small, stunning damselfly that is an avid hunter around forest streams.
How long is a stream ruby?
3–4 cm (tip of head to tip of abdomen).
How do male stream rubies attract females?
Males woo females by showing off their white inner legs while hovering around them.
What do adult stream rubies eat?
They eat small aquatic invertebrates and flies, especially those found near streams.
What are the threats faced by the stream ruby?
Deforestation, water pollution, dam construction, river-linking projects.
About the Authors
Vivek Chandran A
is a birdwatcher turned 'odonutter' currently studying the odonates of Kole wetlands, a Ramsar site in Kerala.
Diviya Mehra
is a graphic designer. She was the former art director of National Geographic Traveller. Her love for animals, travel and design has shaped her career through the years.
