Lestes macrostigma

Lestes macrostigma
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Family:	Lestidae
Genus:	Lestes
Species:	L. macrostigma
Binomial name
Lestes macrostigma (Eversmann, 1836)

Lestes macrostigma is a damselfly of the family Lestidae. Its common name is the Dark Emerald Damselfly or Dark Spreadwing and it has the typical appearance of a Lestes damselfly; it has a metallic green body and at rest it holds its wings away from its body. It is usually found in brackish waters.

Distribution and habitat

L. macrostigma is a species with a southerly distribution and is found across Europe and Asia to Mongolia, nearly always in coastal habitats. It is found in southern France, Spain, Greece, Turkey and on many Mediterranean islands including Sardinia, Sicily, Menorca and Cyprus. It occurs, but is uncommon, in Italy, Hungary, Austria, and southern Germany. There are no records from north Africa. It is found in still water in ponds, lakes and pools, almost always in brackish conditions.

Identification

It is the largest of the European Lestes with a dark metallic green body. In the field it can be identified in th efield as there is a blue pruinescence on the thorax and the base of the abdomen in both sexes. It has large brown/black rectangular pterostigma and blue eyes. Like other Lestes its anal appendages are characteristic.

Behaviour

Flight period is from mid May to mid September. L. macrostigma is very similar in its behaviour to L. sponsa. It overwinters as a diapause egg which hatches out in spring. The larvae then undergo rapid development and the adults emerge after eight to ten weeks. The adults move away from the larval pools to mature. They return to mate and stay in tandem whilst the female lays her eggs in the stems of overhanging vegetation.

See also

• List of damselflies of the world (Lestidae)
• Lestes dryas
• Lestes sponsa
• Lestes virens
• Lestes barbarus
• Lestes viridis
• Lestes parvidens

References

• Askew, R.R. (2004) The Dragonflies of Europe. (revised ed.) Harley Books. pp58-66. ISBN 0946589755
• d'Aguilar, J., Dommanget, JL., and Prechac, R. (1986) A field guide to the Dragonflies of Britain, Europe and North Africa. Collins. pp168-178. ISBN 0002194368
• Boudot JP., et al. (2009) Atlas of the Odonata of the Mediterranean and North Africa. Libellula Supplement 9:1-256.
• Dijkstra, K-D.B & Lewington, R. (2006) Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe. British Wildlife Publishing. ISBN 0953139948.