slender spreadwing

Slender spreadwing is one of the most common and one of the most easily recognized damselflies in Minnesota. It occurs in the United States from the East Coast to the Great Plains and in adjacent Canadian provinces. It is found usually in forests in partially shaded areas in marshes, ponds, lakes, and still backwaters of slow streams.

Adults are 1 7 ⁄16″ to 2⅛″ (37 to 53 mm) long and have an extremely elongated abdomen.

The male thorax is dark iridescent brown with yellow sides and wide, usually blue, sometimes grayish, shoulder stripes. The abdomen is very long, about twice as long as the wings. It is dark iridescent brown above with yellow on the sides. Unlike on other spreadwings, the last two segments of the abdomen usually do not have a conspicuous gray waxy bloom (pruinescence). The wings are clear with a dark spot (stigma) near the tip and a pale vein around the tip. As the damselfly ages the abdomen develops pruinosity obscuring the base colors.

The female thorax is dark brown with yellow sides and light brown shoulder stripes. The abdomen is shorter and stockier but still very long.

Total length: 1 7 ⁄16″ to 2⅛″ (37 to 53 mm)

Partially shaded marshes, ponds, lakes, and still backwaters of slow streams; usually in forests

Mid-June to mid-September

The wings are held spread at about a 45° angle when at rest.

Eggs are laid above water in the stems of emergent plants. Eggs overwinter and hatch in the spring.

Sources

7, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 82, 83

Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 8/2/2025).

Steffens, W. P., and W. A. Smith. 1999. Status survey for special concern and endangered dragonflies of Minnesota: population status, inventory and monitoring recommendations. Final report submitted to the Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 54 pp.

Common

It was in an open grassy type area near a creek in rural Norman County north of Twin Valley, Mn.

Slender Spreadwing (Lestes rectangularis)
Andree Reno Sanborn

Slender Spreadwing (Lestidae: Lestes rectangularis) Mating
Carl Barrentine

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

Location: rural Norman County north of Twin Valley, Mn.

It was in an open grassy type area near a creek