Elegant spreadwing

The elegant spreadwing (Lestes inaequalis) is a species of damselfly in the family Lestidae, the spreadwings. It is native to eastern North America, including eastern Canada and the United States.[1]

Elegant spreadwing

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Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Lestidae
Genus: Lestes
Species:
L. inaequalis
Binomial name
Lestes inaequalis
Walsh, 1862
Synonyms

Lestes virgo Calvert, 1897

Description

This species is 45 to 60 millimeters long.[2] The male has a metallic green and yellow thorax and a blue-tipped green abdomen. The body is pruinose, especially in older specimens. The female has a thicker body with duller coloration. This species is similar to the swamp spreadwing (L. vigilax) but larger in size, and to the amber-winged spreadwing (L. eurinus) but without the amber wings.[3]

Biology

This species lives near freshwater bodies such as streams, lakes, ponds, and marshes.[3] It may live under the canopy in wooded areas.[2]

The elegant spreadwing is known to feed on smaller damselflies.[2]

References
  1. NatureServe. 2015. Lestes inaequalis. NatureServe Explorer. Version 7.1. Accessed January 28, 2016.
  2. Lestes inaequalis. Odonata Central.
  3. Lestes inaequalis. Wisconsin Odonata Survey. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
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