Spreadwing
Guides
Archilestes grandis
Great Spreadwing
Archilestes grandis, commonly known as the Great Spreadwing, is a large damselfly in the family Lestidae. It is one of the largest damselfly species in North America, often mistaken for a dragonfly due to its substantial size. The species is widespread across much of the United States and extends into Mexico and Central America. When startled, individuals frequently return to the same perch or one nearby.
Lestes
Pond Spreadwings, Spreadwings
Lestes is a genus of damselflies in the family Lestidae, commonly known as pond spreadwings. Members of this genus are distinguished from most other damselflies by their characteristic resting posture: they hold their wings spread at approximately 45 degrees to the body rather than folded together above the abdomen. The genus name derives from the Greek word λῃστής (lēistēs), meaning thief. Lestes species are found across diverse habitats and are among the most widely observed damselflies in temperate regions.
Lestes alacer
Plateau Spreadwing
Lestes alacer, commonly known as the Plateau Spreadwing, is a species of damselfly in the family Lestidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats to its survival. Like other spreadwings, it holds its wings at approximately 45 degrees to the body when at rest, distinguishing it from most other damselflies that hold wings parallel to the body.
Lestes australis
Southern Spreadwing
Lestes australis, the Southern Spreadwing, is a damselfly species in the family Lestidae. It is found in North America. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern with a stable population, last reviewed in 2017. The species holds its wings at approximately 45 degrees to the body when at rest, a characteristic trait of the spreadwing family.
Lestes disjunctus
Northern Spreadwing
Lestes disjunctus, commonly known as the Northern Spreadwing, is a damselfly species in the family Lestidae. It is widely distributed across North America and inhabits a variety of freshwater habitats including riverine wetlands, ponds, and marshes. The species exhibits a univoltine life cycle with egg diapause, requiring overwintering before hatching. Adults emerge in late June through July and remain active until late August. Larvae are predatory, feeding primarily on zooplankton and small aquatic invertebrates. The species holds its wings at approximately 45 degrees to the body when at rest, a characteristic posture of spreadwing damselflies.
Lestes dryas
emerald spreadwing, scarce emerald damselfly, robust spreadwing, turlough spreadwing
Lestes dryas is a Holarctic damselfly species in the family Lestidae, commonly known as the emerald spreadwing or scarce emerald damselfly. It is notable for being the only Lestes species that occurs in both Europe and North America. The species can tolerate extreme environmental conditions, including slightly brackish water, that few other odonates survive. It has experienced significant population declines in parts of its range, particularly in Britain and Ireland, where it was believed extinct before its rediscovery in 1983. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining ditch systems and shallow water habitats that support its aquatic life stages.
Lestes forcipatus
Sweetflag Spreadwing
A species of spreadwing damselfly native to eastern North America, particularly Canada and the United States. Females exhibit stronger melanotic encapsulation immune responses than males, suggesting higher immunocompetence. Sexual dimorphism is moderate, with mass at emergence influencing immune response patterns in males but not females.
Lestes inaequalis
Elegant Spreadwing
Lestes inaequalis, the elegant spreadwing, is a species of damselfly in the family Lestidae native to eastern North America. Like other spreadwings, it perches with its wings partially spread rather than folded together over the abdomen. It is one of the larger members of the genus Lestes and is associated with a variety of freshwater habitats.
Lestes rectangularis
slender spreadwing
Lestes rectangularis, commonly known as the slender spreadwing, is a damselfly species in the family Lestidae. It is native to eastern North America, ranging from eastern Canada through the eastern United States. The species is characterized by its elongated, slender body form and distinctive wing posture at rest, with wings held partially spread rather than folded together above the abdomen. It inhabits springs and temporary pond habitats, where it completes its aquatic larval development before emerging as a flying adult.
Lestes sigma
Chalky Spreadwing
Lestes sigma, commonly known as the chalky spreadwing, is a damselfly species in the family Lestidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species holds its wings at approximately 45 degrees to the body when at rest, a characteristic trait of spreadwing damselflies that distinguishes them from most other damselflies. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern with a stable population.
Lestes stultus
Black Spreadwing
Lestes stultus, commonly known as the Black Spreadwing, is a species of damselfly in the family Lestidae. It is found in North America and holds its wings at approximately 45 degrees to the body when at rest, a characteristic trait of spreadwing damselflies that distinguishes them from most other damselfly species. The IUCN lists this species as Least Concern with a stable population.
Lestes tenuatus
Blue-striped Spreadwing
Lestes tenuatus, commonly known as the blue-striped spreadwing, is a damselfly species in the family Lestidae. It has a broad distribution across the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN with a stable population. Like other spreadwings, it typically perches with its wings partially open rather than folded together over the abdomen.
Lestes unguiculatus
Lyre-tipped Spreadwing
Lestes unguiculatus, commonly known as the Lyre-tipped Spreadwing, is a species of damselfly in the family Lestidae. The species is native to North America and holds its wings at approximately 45 degrees to the body when at rest, a characteristic trait of the Lestidae family that distinguishes spreadwings from most other damselflies. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern (LC) with a stable population, last reviewed in 2017.
Lestes vidua
Carolina Spreadwing
Lestes vidua, commonly known as the Carolina Spreadwing, is a species of damselfly in the family Lestidae. It is found in North America. The species holds its wings at approximately 45 degrees to the body when at rest, a characteristic trait of spreadwing damselflies that distinguishes them from most other damselfly families. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern (LC) with a stable population, last reviewed in 2017.
Lestes vigilax
Swamp Spreadwing
Lestes vigilax, commonly known as the swamp spreadwing, is a damselfly species in the family Lestidae. It is a medium-sized spreadwing damselfly with a body length of 42–55 mm. The species is found in eastern North America, ranging west to Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Texas, and south to Georgia and South Carolina. Adults are most commonly observed between May and October.