Lestes sponsa, Emerald Damselfly

Common Name: Emerald Damselfly

Lestes sponsa, commonly known as the Emerald Damselfly, is one of the larger damselflies and is most common in July and August. It is often found by ponds and lakes, and is very rarely seen along flowing water.

Emerald Damselflies like to perch among reeds, their colour providing good camouflage. They are not as strong fliers when compared to other common damselflies such as the common blue or large red damselflies, but they are more likely to be seen on misty, rainy days than those species.

When disturbed they usually do not fly very far away, landing on another perch a few yards away. Their habit of perching with their wings half open is characteristic of the family Lestidae and gives rise to their other common name of spreadwings. A population can consist of several hundred insects.

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