Common NameEmerald Spreadwing; Scarce Emerald DamselflySeasonalityEarly summer, mid-June to late August (Walker).IdentificationThe only Lestes in Alberta with bright metallic green upperparts. Male: 36-38 mm long. Metallic green on upper thorax, humeral stripe very thin or absent. Inferior appendages very broad at the tips in lateral view. Pruinosity develops with age to cover the pronotum, parts of the thorax, and segments 8-10. Female: 27-29 mm long. Metallic green above, humeral stripe thin, green of the mesepimeron extending onto the mesinfraepisternum. Does not develop pruinosity. (Walker)
Scientific NameLestes dryasCommon Name
Emerald Spreadwing; Scarce Emerald Damselfly
Seasonality
Early summer, mid-June to late August (Walker).
Identification
The only Lestes in Alberta with bright metallic green upperparts. Male: 36-38 mm long. Metallic green on upper thorax, humeral stripe very thin or absent. Inferior appendages very broad at the tips in lateral view.…
The only Lestes in Alberta with bright metallic green upperparts. Male: 36-38 mm long. Metallic green on upper thorax, humeral stripe very thin or absent. Inferior appendages very broad at the tips in lateral view. Pruinosity develops with age to cover the pronotum, parts of the thorax, and segments 8-10. Female: 27-29 mm long. Metallic green above, humeral stripe thin, green of the mesepimeron extending onto the mesinfraepisternum. Does not develop pruinosity. (Walker)
Life History
Known to exhibit facultative diapause under some conditions (possibly low water levels or cool temperatures) (Corbet). Oviposits in tandem high above the water line in aquatic vegetation. Known to cause damage or…
Known to exhibit facultative diapause under some conditions (possibly low water levels or cool temperatures) (Corbet). Oviposits in tandem high above the water line in aquatic vegetation. Known to cause damage or death to Iris versicolor when ovipositing in large numbers. (Walker).
Conservation
Relatively common throughout Alberta North America (Walker). In Europe, it is an endangered species (Moore).
Diet Info
Gleans small invertebrates from the foliage. The nymphs prey on aquatic invertebrates.
Range
Found throughout Alberta. It is known from in all provinces and territories Canada, except Newfoundland and Labrador. It is also widespread in the U.S.A.
Citation
Page Citation for Lestes dryas
Page Citation
"Species Details - Lestes dryas, Freshwater Invertebrate Collection." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/5-6148. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.
Specimen Information
There are 4 specimens of this Species.
4 results plotted on map in 4 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.