Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Beneficial Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Similar Insects
Icon about
Popular Insects
Forest Spreadwing

Forest Spreadwing

Lestes dorothea

A species of Pond spreadwings

It is a large damselfly with the male have an abdomen length 36 to 40 mm compared to the similar looking species, Lestes praemorsus having an abdomen length 32-35 mm. Its head is black and matured males have deep sapphire-blue eyes as in L. praemorsus. Its thorax is black, pruinosed white laterally, citron-yellow beneath. The dorsum of the thorax is marked with a pair of metallic green antehumeral stripes shaped like those seen in L. praemorsus. The mark on each side is followed by a diffuse black stripe on the humeral suture, a large diffuse black spot just in front of the upper part of the postero-lateral suture, another smaller spot at the middle of the antero-lateral suture, and a third spot over the spiracle. L. praemorsus lacks this black stripe; have only several irregular spots present on both sides. The thorax of matured males are heavily pruinosed, obscuring all these markings. Wings are hyaline and pterostigma is black. Abdomen is blue or greenish-blue marked with black. Segment 8 is with a fine basal blue ring, segments 9 entirely black, and segment 10 is black with pruinosed white on the dorsum. In L. praemorsus, segment 9 has very large lateral spots of blue. Anal appendages are bluish during life, broadly black at base and apex. Female thorax is olivaceous green, pale greenish yellow laterally. The markings are broader and more visible compared to the males. Anal appendages are small and black in color. Its much larger size, the absence of markings on segments 8 and 9 in the male, diffuse black stripes on the humeral suture, and higher postnodal index will serve to distinguish it from L. praemorsus. It breeds in well vegetated ponds and similar habitats.

General Info About Forest Spreadwing
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of Forest Spreadwing
Colors
Black
Yellow
White
Blue
Habitat
Well vegetated pond
Adult Food Sources
Flying insects, mosquitoes, moths, flies, small beetles
Larva Food Source
Aquatic larvae, small fishes, tadpoles, zooplankton, other small aquatic organisms
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Life Cycle of Forest Spreadwing
Egg The egg phase begins with the deposition of forest Spreadwing eggs in water or on vegetation near water. The eggs are typically oblong and undergo a period of dormancy before hatching.
Naiad Naiads or naiads hatch from eggs, resembling miniature versions of the adult without wings. These aquatic naiads are predatory, developing through several instars, growing in size, and gradually developing wing pads.
Adult Transitioning from nymph to adult, forest Spreadwing emerges with fully formed wings. The adult is recognizable by its elongated body, and iridescent wings and engages in flight, feeding, and mating during this final stage.
Rectangle
Predators of Forest Spreadwing Larvae
Fish, tadpoles, aquatic insects, backswimmers, water beetles, water bugs
Rectangle
Predators of Adult Forest Spreadwing
Birds, spiders, frogs, wasps, mantises, dragonflies, other larger species of odonates, lizards, bats
Rectangle
Interesting Facts About Forest Spreadwing
An unusual behavior of forest Spreadwing is that they lay their eggs in wet soil or moss, unlike most species that deposit directly into water.
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Forest Spreadwing
Tips for Finding Forest Spreadwing
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of Forest Spreadwing
Freshwater Habitats
Rectangle
Adult Habitat of Forest Spreadwing
Forests and Woodlands, Freshwater Habitats, Grasslands and Prairies, Savannas, Mangroves and Coastal Wetlands
Rectangle
How Can You Attract Forest Spreadwing
Not applicable, as trapping with food isn't a standard method for finding forest Spreadwing.
Rectangle
Habitat Preferences of Forest Spreadwing Through Different Life Stages
The naiad stage of forest Spreadwing is aquatic, typically found in still or slow-flowing water bodies like ponds, marshes, and ditches rich in vegetation. Adult forest Spreadwing prefer to perch on vegetation near such water sources, often seen in meadows or fields adjacent to the ponds or streams where they matured. To observe the naiads, one would search in shallow, vegetated edges of these waters. For adults, scanning the nearby flora or open spaces where they might hunt or mate would be key, especially on sunny days when they are most active.
Rectangle
When is the Best Time to Observe Forest Spreadwing
The best time is typically during warmer months, preferably late spring through summer when forest Spreadwing are most active. Mornings and late afternoons on sunny days are ideal.
Rectangle
What is the Best Weather to Observe Forest Spreadwing
Sunny or partly cloudy days with mild wind are suitable weather conditions for finding forest Spreadwing, as they are more active in warm weather.
Are Forest Spreadwing harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Beneficial Effects of Forest Spreadwing
Discover the hidden benefits of insects
Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
Download the App for Free
Predators of Pests
Predators of Pests
Purpose
Feed Itself
Diets
Mosquitoes, Small Aquatic Insects
Forest Spreadwing exists in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems during its life cycle. As a naiad, it is a remarkable underwater hunter, ambushing small aquatic creatures including mosquito larvae. Upon reaching adulthood, forest Spreadwing takes to the skies, where it expertly catches flying insects, particularly favoring mosquitoes. This dual habitat advantage makes forest Spreadwing a valuable ally in pest control.
Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
More Insects that are Similar to Forest Spreadwing
Plateau spreadwing
Plateau spreadwing

The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1861 by Hagen.

Read More
Arrow
Swamp spreadwing
Swamp spreadwing

It grows between 4 cm and 6 cm long.

Read More
Arrow
Amber-winged spreadwing
Amber-winged spreadwing

The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1840 by Say.

Read More
Arrow
Slender spreadwing
Slender spreadwing

This damselfly is long and thin. The body is black with a pale blue face, and the wings have yellow edges. The female is larger, with paler yellow on the wings.

Read More
Arrow
Southern spreadwing
Southern spreadwing

The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1952 by Walker.

Read More
Arrow
Emerald spreadwing
Emerald spreadwing

The Shining Bulgarian reaches a wing span of about five centimeters. It has a metallic-green-colored thorax and a shiny black-green abdomen, which is thickened at the end and blue frosted in sexually mature male. In old age, the dark parts of the body become coppery and duller. The wing times are monochrome blackish. The species can easily be confused with the much more common Common Reindeer (Lestes sponsa). Surely, both can only be distinguished by examining the inner abdomen appendages in males or the laying tail in females with a magnifying glass. Also, in the male the second abdominal ring (2nd segment behind the wing lug) is not completely frosted blue. In a direct comparison, Lestes Dryas looks a bit stronger and shinier.

Read More
Arrow
Northern spreadwing
Northern spreadwing

The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1862 by Selys.

Read More
Arrow
Spotted spreadwing
Spotted spreadwing

The spotted spreadwing (Lestes congener) is a small grey damselfly with transparent wings and blue eyes, making them striking and beautiful insects. Females have brown eyes. Given that they are damselflies, they tend to hang about slow-moving water patches. These are typically anything from ponds to marshes.

Read More
Arrow
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow