Small Spreadwing Lestes virens

Scientific Name: Lestes virens subsp vestalis (Lestidae).


English Name: Small Spreadwing; Late Spreadwing; Small Emerald Damselfly (Spreadwing or Emerald Damselfly family).


French Name: Le Leste verdoyant (='the Verdant robber').

5 Key Characters:

• smallest and most delicate of the spreadwings.
• back of head is yellow underneath.
• male abdominal segments 9-10 blue.
• no blue on male abdominal segments 1-2.
• pterastigma (opaque coloured cell near wingtips) pale brown.

Lookalikes: Other spreadwings, especially Migrant Spreadwing Lestes barbarus, which does not have blue on the abdomen.


Habitat: Shallow reedy waters that dry out seasonally, especially in heathy areas.


Adult Flight Period: June-July-August-September-October-November.


Status: Widespread and common, but rarely the dominant spreadwing species.


Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:

Male.

Male.