Lestes is a widespread genus of damselflies in the family Lestidae. Species occur throughout much of the world and are commonly known as spreadwings.
Description
Species of Lestes are medium-sized to large, slender damselflies, typically coloured green, bronze or brown with a metallic sheen. Unlike most damselflies, they usually rest with their wings held partly open, a characteristic that gives rise to the common name "spreadwings".
The wings have an elongated pterostigma near the tip of the leading edge, a characteristic feature of the family Lestidae. Males typically possess long, strongly curved appendages used to clasp females during mating.
Distribution and habitat
Species of Lestes occur throughout much of the world, inhabiting ponds, marshes, swamps, lagoons and other still or slow-moving freshwater habitats.
Taxonomy
Lestes is the largest genus in the family Lestidae. Modern studies support the recognition of Lestidae as a distinct family of damselflies, but suggest that relationships within the family may require further revision and that the broadly defined genus Lestes may be subdivided in the future.
Etymology
The genus name Lestes comes from the Greek word λῃστής (lēistēs) meaning thief, referring to the predatory behaviour of damselflies.
Species
The following species are currently placed in Lestes:
Male
Female
Scientific name
Common name
Distribution
Lestes alacer Hagen, 1861
Plateau Spreadwing
Central America and North America
Lestes alfonsoi González & Novelo, 2001
Central America.
Lestes amicus Martin, 1910
Congo, Tanzania, Angola
Lestes angularis Fraser, 1929
India
Lestes apollinaris Navás, 1934
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
Lestes auripennis Fraser, 1955
Madagascar
Lestes auritus Hagen in Selys, 1862
Brazil
Lestes australis Walker, 1952
Southern Spreadwing
North America
Lestes barbarus (Fabricius, 1798)
Southern Emerald Damselfly, Migrant Spreadwing
Europe in a band across Spain, France, Italy and...
