Common Spreadwing
ExploreInsects
Common Spreadwing
Lestes sponsa
The Common Spreadwing is a beautiful dragonfly with long wings that spread out like a fan. They love to fly around ponds and wetlands, where they can be seen gliding gracefully in the air.
Habitat: Wetlands
Appearance
The Common Spreadwing has a slender body, often metallic green or bronze with distinctive black markings. Males can develop bright blue spots near their tail. Its clear wings are held wide open even when resting, a key feature distinguishing it from other damselflies.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyLestidaeGenusLestes
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Baby spreadwings, called nymphs, live underwater for months, breathing through gills!
Despite their small size, they are fierce predators of annoying mosquitoes!
They shed their entire skin multiple times as they grow, like a tiny dragon!
When mating, a male and female Common Spreadwing form a fascinating 'heart' shape.
Special abilities
Ability
Super Sight
Common Spreadwing has huge compound eyes that help them spot tiny flying insects from far away.
Ability
Aerial Ace
Common Spreadwing can zip and dart through the air because of its powerful wings, catching food mid-flight.
Ability
Open-Wing Rest
Common Spreadwing holds its wings wide open at rest, a unique pose that makes it easy to identify.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 40-55 mm
- Size
- 35-45 mm
- Lifespan
- 30-90 days
- Flight Speed
- 10 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Nimble aerial hunter, gobbling up tiny flying insects with amazing speed!
Age differences: Nymphs eat aquatic invertebrates; adults eat flying insects.
Primary Foods
- mosquitoes
- gnats
- midges
- small flies
- aphids
Foraging Method
- Pursuit
Ecological connections
hunts
Common House Mosquito
Culex pipiens
Keeps mosquito populations in check.
eaten by
Blackbird
Turdus merula
A tasty snack for many birds.
eaten by
European Perch
Perca fluviatilis
Fish feast on its underwater babies.
Traits
Aerial
Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Gliding
Gliding animals move through the air by launching themselves and maintaining flight with specialized body structures, without flapping wings.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Wetland
This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch dragonflies from a distance and don't try to catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Common Spreadwing's wingspan?
40-55 mm
How big is Common Spreadwing?
35-45 mm
How long does Common Spreadwing live?
30-90 days
How fast can Common Spreadwing fly?
10 km/h
What does Common Spreadwing eat?
Nimble aerial hunter, gobbling up tiny flying insects with amazing speed!
Where is Common Spreadwing usually found?
Wetlands
How does Common Spreadwing hunt?
Pursuit
How many legs does Common Spreadwing have?
6
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