# Emerald Spreadwing (*Lestes dryas*) The Emerald Spreadwing is a beautiful dragonfly with bright green wings. It loves to flutter around wetlands and ponds, showing off its shiny colors to everyone nearby. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Emerald Spreadwing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Emerald_spreadwing_2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bruce Marlin, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Emerald_spreadwing_2.jpg) ## Appearance The Emerald Spreadwing has a vibrant metallic green body that shines in the sunlight, often with pale yellow stripes on its sides. Its clear wings are held spread out and angled back when resting, making it look different from many other damselflies that fold their wings over their backs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Lestidae - **Genus:** Lestes ## Interesting facts - Their babies live underwater for years, breathing with special tail gills! - These insects use spiky legs like a basket to scoop up flying snacks in mid-air! - They lay their tiny eggs right inside plant stems, often under the water! - When resting, Emerald Spreadwings hold their wings wide open, unlike most other damselflies! ## Special abilities - **Spreadwing Posture:** Emerald Spreadwing can hold its wings open at rest because this posture helps them warm up faster in the sun. - **Underwater Hunter:** Emerald Spreadwing has gills on its tail as a nymph that helps them breathe and hunt aquatic prey underwater for years. - **Aerial Snatcher:** Emerald Spreadwing can catch tiny flying insects in mid-air because its agile flight allows for precise, quick maneuvers. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 40-55 mm - **Size:** 35-45 mm - **Lifespan:** 15-60 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Hungry hunters, Emerald Spreadwings mostly eat small insects, both as adults and as aquatic nymphs! - **Age differences:** Nymphs eat aquatic invertebrates; adults eat flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** Mosquitoes, Midges, Small flies, Gnats, Aphids - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Yellow Fever Mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — Helps control mosquito populations. - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — Frogs often feast on adult damselflies. - **Eats:** [Northern Pike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-pike) (*Esox lucius*) — Large fish consume aquatic nymphs. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle and quiet around dragonflies so they don't get scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Emerald Spreadwing? Compare wing shape and resting posture, where the eyes sit, body markings and the tail segments. Males and females can look very different in color. Dragonfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Emerald Spreadwing's wingspan? 40-55 mm ### How big is Emerald Spreadwing? 35-45 mm ### How long does Emerald Spreadwing live? 15-60 days ### What does Emerald Spreadwing eat? Hungry hunters, Emerald Spreadwings mostly eat small insects, both as adults and as aquatic nymphs! ### Where is Emerald Spreadwing usually found? Wetlands ### How does Emerald Spreadwing hunt? Pursuit ### How many legs does Emerald Spreadwing have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Nyack Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nyack-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Emerald Spreadwing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/emerald-spreadwing)