(Lestes rectangularis)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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NatureServe | N5 - Secure SNR - Unranked |
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Minnesota | not listed |
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Description |
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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. |
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Size |
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Total length: 1 7 ⁄16″ to 2⅛″ (37 to 53 mm) |
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Similar Species |
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Habitat |
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Partially shaded marshes, ponds, lakes, and still backwaters of slow streams; usually in forests |
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Biology |
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Season |
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Mid-June to mid-September |
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Behavior |
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The wings are held spread at about a 45° angle when at rest. |
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Life Cycle |
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Eggs are laid above water in the stems of emergent plants. Eggs overwinter and hatch in the spring. |
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Naiad Food |
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Adult Food |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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8/3/2019 | ||||
Occurrence |
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Common |
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Taxonomy |
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Order |
Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) | ||
Suborder |
Zygoptera (damselflies) | ||
Superfamily |
Lestoidea | ||
Family |
Lestidae (spreadwings and allies) | ||
Genus |
Lestes (pond spreadwings) | ||
Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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slender spreadwing |
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Glossary
Pruinescence
A waxy or powdery bloom that covers the underlying coloration and gives a dusty or frosty appearance.
Stigma
In plants, the portion of the female part of the flower that is receptive to pollen. In Lepidoptera, an area of specialized scent scales on the forewing of some skippers, hairstreaks, and moths. In other insects, a thickened, dark, or opaque cell on the leading edge of the wing.
Visitor Photos |
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Alfredo Colon |
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Dan W. Andree |
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It was in an open grassy type area near a creek in rural Norman County north of Twin Valley, Mn. | ![]() |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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Slender Spreadwing (Lestidae: Lestes rectangularis) Mating Carl Barrentine |
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About
Published on Aug 12, 2010 Photographed at the Turtle River State Park, North Dakota (11 August 2010). |
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Created: 8/3/2019
Last Updated: