''Lestes inaequalis'' is a species of
damselfly in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Lestidae, the spreadwings. This species is known commonly as the elegant spreadwing. It is native to eastern North America, including eastern Canada and the United States.
[NatureServe. 2015]
''Lestes inaequalis''.
NatureServe Explorer. Version 7.1. Accessed January 28, 2016.
Description
This species is 45 to 60 millimeters long.
[''Lestes inaequalis''.]
Odonata Central. The male has a metallic green and yellow thorax and a blue-tipped green abdomen. The body is
pruinose Pruinescence , or pruinosity, is a "frosted" or dusty-looking coating on top of a surface. It may also be called a pruina (plural: ''pruinae''), from the Latin word for hoarfrost. The adjectival form is pruinose .
Entomology
In insects, a "blo ...
, 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.
[''Lestes inaequalis''.]
Wisconsin Odonata Survey. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Biology
This species lives near freshwater bodies such as streams, lakes, ponds, and marshes.
[ It may live under the canopy in wooded areas.][
The elegant spreadwing is known to feed on smaller damselflies.][
]
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2420660
Lestes
Odonata of North America
Insects of Canada
Insects of the United States
Fauna of the Eastern United States
Insects described in 1862