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Northern Spreadwing

Lestes disjunctus

The Northern Spreadwing is a beautiful dragonfly that loves to flutter around ponds and wetlands. With its long body and delicate wings, it can often be seen resting on leaves or flying gracefully over the water.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Northern Spreadwing is a slender damselfly, often displaying metallic green, bronze, or bluish hues on its body. Its clear wings are distinctively held wide apart when resting, a key feature differentiating it from most other damselflies.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyLestidaeGenusLestes
Northern Spreadwing
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Northern Spreadwing

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Some damselflies can change their body color based on temperature or age!

Their eyes have thousands of tiny lenses for spotting the smallest prey!

Their young live underwater for months, completely hidden from sight!

They hold wings wide open when resting, giving them their 'spreadwing' name!

Special abilities

Ability

Spreadwing Stance

Northern Spreadwing can hold its wings wide open even at rest, which helps it warm up faster by soaking in the sun's rays.

Ability

Underwater Breather

Northern Spreadwing nymphs have special gills that allow them to breathe underwater, helping them stay hidden from predators.

Ability

Hover Hunt

Northern Spreadwing can hover and dart quickly in the air, allowing it to expertly catch tiny flying insects mid-flight.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
40-55 mm
Size
30-40 mm
Lifespan
30-60 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

These swift hunters keep insect populations in check, eating many small flying bugs!

Age differences: Nymphs eat aquatic invertebrates like mosquito larvae; adults eat flying insects.

Primary Foods

  • mosquitoes
  • gnats
  • midges
  • small flies
  • aphids

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Watch these insects from a distance and don't try to catch them, as they are delicate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Northern Spreadwing's wingspan?

40-55 mm

How big is Northern Spreadwing?

30-40 mm

How long does Northern Spreadwing live?

30-60 days

What does Northern Spreadwing eat?

These swift hunters keep insect populations in check, eating many small flying bugs!

Where is Northern Spreadwing usually found?

Wetlands

How does Northern Spreadwing hunt?

Pursuit

How many legs does Northern Spreadwing have?

6

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