Odonata21 species

Family Spreadwings (Lestidae)

Lestidae is a family in the order Odonata. Browse 21 named species recorded in this family, or open an individual profile for its available identification and natural-history information.

Species in Lestidae (21)

Willow Emerald Damselfly

Chalcolestes viridis

Length: 39 to 48 mm. Hindwing span: 23 to 48 mm. A dark metallic green damselfly with pale brown wing markings (pterostigma). Similar in appearance to the Emerald Damselfly. Willow Emerald Damselfly is longer than Emerald Damselfly, appears thinner a

Spotted Spreadwing

Lestes congener

Identification: Two black spots on the ventrolateral surface of the thorax are diagnostic and give the species its common name; thorax black dorsally.

Emerald Spreadwing

Lestes dryas

Identification: dorsal surface of thorax and abdomen metallic green; sides of body yellowish; abdomen relatively short and stout for a spreadwing; paraprocts do not extend beyond cerci

Amber-winged Spreadwing

Lestes eurinus

Identification: Male metallic green, often with extensive pruinosity. Female with distinctive yellow patches on side of thorax. Both have amber wings, but this can be difficult to see in the field.

Sweetflag Spreadwing

Lestes forcipatus

Identification: Dark, male has variable shoulder stripes. Female has very large ovipositor, rather distinctive.

Slender Spreadwing

Lestes rectangularis

Identification: Wide gray shoulder stripe on female, abdomen dark with tan along sides. Male has very long dark abdomen, about twice as long as wings, usually lacks pruinosity at tip.

Emerald Damselfly

Lestes sponsa

A medium-sized damselfly which characteristically holds wings open at 45 degrees when perched, unlike other damselflies. Males are metallic green with powder blue eyes, thorax sides and bands across first and last two abdominal segments. The females

Antillean Spreadwing

Lestes spumarius

One record from Florida Keys on iNaturalist --that image will hopefully be added here in the future.

Lyre-tipped Spreadwing

Lestes unguiculatus

Identification: Abdomen metallic green in male, pruinosity on segment 8 with dark triangle on top. Distinctive lyre-shaped paraprocts.

Carolina Spreadwing

Lestes vidua

Identification: Very similar to Common Spreadwing, Lestes disjunctus . Carolina is more slender and has rusty brown shoulder stripes.

Swamp Spreadwing

Lestes vigilax

Identification: Large, metallic colored, male has brilliant blue eyes, female brown eyes. Compare Common Spreadwing, L. disjunctus, and Sweetflag Spreadwing, L. forcipatus. Southern populations of this speces are dark, less emerald green than norther