Great Spreadwing

archilestes grandis

The Great Spreadwing (Archilestes grandis) is a spectacular and exceptionally large damselfly native to North America. Distinguished by its remarkable size and elegant posture, this insect belongs to the spreadwing family (Lestidae), which is famous for resting with wings outstretched rather than folded. Historically native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, it has undergone a dramatic northward and eastward range expansion over the past century, thriving in human-altered wetland habitats. As a crucial component of freshwater ecosystems, the Great Spreadwing acts as both an effective predator of smaller insects and an indicator of wetland health. Observing this striking aerial acrobat perched on a sunlit twig near a slow-moving stream is a highlight for any nature enthusiast.

Habitat: Found near slow-moving streams, shaded ponds, and marshy ditches, typically perching on overhanging woody vegetation.

Appearance

This species is easily recognized as the largest damselfly in North America, reaching lengths of 5 to 6 centimeters. It features a metallic bronze-to-green thorax highlighted by a prominent pale yellow stripe on each side. Its long, slender abdomen is dark grey to dull black, ending in pale claspers in males. True to its name, it rests with its clear, heavily veined wings held wide open at a 45-degree angle, exposing a prominent dark stigma near the tip of each wing.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyLestidaeGenusArchilestes

Great Spreadwing

Interesting facts

Egg-laying females often leave visible scars on the twigs of overhanging trees where they have deposited their eggs.

It is the largest damselfly species in North America, so large that beginners often mistake it for a dragonfly.

Its historical range was limited to the southwest, but it has staged a massive continent-wide expansion over the last century due to human pond creation.

Special abilities

Holds its wings out at a 45-degree angle while resting, which helps it warm up its flight muscles more rapidly in cool morning air.

Possesses incredible flight maneuverability, allowing it to hover, fly backward, and snatch flying prey directly out of mid-air.

Equipped with a sharp, saw-like ovipositor that allows females to cut into tough woody twigs to deposit eggs safely away from aquatic predators.

Measurements & details

Length: 5+ cm
Wingspan: 5+ cm
Weight: 0.0001+ kg
Lifespan: 1+ years
Top Speed: 15 km/h
Clutch Size: 100+
Incubation: 20+ days

Diet & Feeding

Both the aquatic nymphs and aerial adults are opportunistic insect predators, feeding on a wide variety of smaller insects and larvae.

Age differences: Nymphs develop underwater and feed heavily on aquatic larvae, while the adult stage is entirely terrestrial and preys on flying insects.