A Slender Spreadwing in Prince George's Co., Maryland (7/7/2018).

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

A female Slender Spreadwing in Harford Co., Maryland (7/11/2008).

Photo by Bill Hubick MBP List

A Slender Spreadwing in Washington Co., Maryland (6/15/2019).

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

A Slender Spreadwing at Andelot Farm, Kent Co., Maryland (6/7/2014).

Photo by Ashley Bradford MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Kent Co., Maryland (9/20/2020). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 222894 - Psn: 42)

Slender Spreadwing in Kent Co., Maryland (9/20/2020). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Pamela Cowart-Rickman MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Caroline Co., Maryland (7/17/2021). (c) Benjamin Schwartz, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 425071 - Psn: 45)

Slender Spreadwing in Caroline Co., Maryland (7/17/2021). (c) Benjamin Schwartz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Benjamin Schwartz via iNaturalist MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Howard Co., Maryland (6/25/2011). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 1044246 - Psn: 45)

Slender Spreadwing in Howard Co., Maryland (6/25/2011). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist MBP List

A Slender Spreadwing in Charles Co., Maryland (6/13/2020).

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Caroline Co., Maryland (7/17/2021). (c) Benjamin Schwartz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Benjamin Schwartz via iNaturalist MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Somerset Co., Maryland (9/28/2020). (c) Jim Moore (Maryland), some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 517123 - Psn: 52)

Slender Spreadwing in Somerset Co., Maryland (9/28/2020). (c) Jim Moore (Maryland), some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Jim Moore MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (6/20/2022). (c) Jonathan Irons, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 596352 - Psn: 52)

Slender Spreadwing in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (6/20/2022). (c) Jonathan Irons, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Jonathan Irons MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 621979 - Psn: 52)

Slender Spreadwing in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Josh Emm MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Garrett Co., Maryland (8/22/2024). (c) Jason E. Avery, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 1090768 - Psn: 52)

View Record Details Photo by Jason Avery MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Montgomery Co., Maryland (8/16/2008). (c) Dave Roberts, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 187952 - Psn: 55)

Slender Spreadwing in Montgomery Co., Maryland (8/16/2008). (c) Dave Roberts, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Dave Roberts MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Caroline Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) jared satchell, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 868421 - Psn: 55)

View Record Details Photo by Jared Satchell MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Calvert Co., Maryland (9/24/2021). (c) Jason Avery, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 457243 - Psn: 66)

Slender Spreadwing in Calvert Co., Maryland (9/24/2021). (c) Jason Avery, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Jason Avery MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Kent Co., Maryland (5/23/2022). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 575404 - Psn: 66)

Slender Spreadwing in Kent Co., Maryland (5/23/2022). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Pamela Cowart-Rickman MBP List

A Slender Spreadwing in Garrett Co., Maryland (7/2/2006).

View Record Details Photo by Bill Hubick MBP List

A Slender Spreadwing in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/5/2018).

View Record Details Photo by Tyler Bell MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Wicomico Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) jugbayjs, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 836124 - Psn: 75)

Slender Spreadwing in Wicomico Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) jugbayjs, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by jugbayjs via iNaturalist MBP List

A Slender Spreadwing in Baltimore Co., Maryland (7/13/2020).

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Baltimore Co., Maryland (8/13/2017). (c) richard crook, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 993401 - Psn: 78)

Slender Spreadwing in Baltimore Co., Maryland (8/13/2017). (c) richard crook, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by rwcrook via iNaturalist MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/20/2010). (c) Mike Ostrowski, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA).

View Record Details Photo by Mike Ostrowski MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Kent Co., Maryland (9/20/2020). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Pamela Cowart-Rickman MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Wicomico Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) jugbayjs, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by jugbayjs via iNaturalist MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Calvert Co., Maryland (9/11/2021). (c) Jason Avery, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 449663 - Psn: 98)

Slender Spreadwing in Calvert Co., Maryland (9/11/2021). (c) Jason Avery, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Jason Avery MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Calvert Co., Maryland (9/24/2021). (c) Jason Avery, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Jason Avery MBP List

A teneral Slender Spreadwing in Howard Co., Maryland (5/31/2013).

Photo by Richard Orr MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Kent Co., Maryland (9/19/2020). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 220069 - Psn: 180)

Slender Spreadwing in Kent Co., Maryland (9/19/2020). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Pamela Cowart-Rickman MBP List

A Slender Spreadwing in Harford Co., Maryland (6/8/2017).

View Record Details Photo by Josh Emm MBP List

Slender Spreadwing in Prince George's Co., Maryland (9/25/2020). (c) Shufan Gao, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 225095 - Psn: 200)

Slender Spreadwing in Prince George's Co., Maryland (9/25/2020). (c) Shufan Gao, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Shufan Gao via iNaturalist MBP List

Map Snapshot

549 Records

GA AL WA FR CL MO HO BA BC HA CE PG AA CV CH SM KE QA CN TA DO WI SO WO

Status

Slender Spreadwing (Lestes rectangularis) is a very elongate, gracile species, with a proportionately very long abdomen. It is found commonly throughout Maryland. This species is found in a wide variety of habitats, from well-vegetated lakes and ponds, to wooded wetlands, slow streams, and sometimes vernal pools (Paulson, 2011).

Description

Note pale veins at wingtips.

Seasonality Summary

No filters. Click here to explore and apply filters.

Resources

View at iNaturalist Search Google Images Search MBP Facebook posts

View images at BugGuide

Citations

No citations linked for this taxon yet.

Use of media featured on Maryland Biodiversity Project is only permitted with express permission of the photographer.

A Slender Spreadwing in Prince George's Co., Maryland (7/7/2018). View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

A female Slender Spreadwing in Harford Co., Maryland (7/11/2008). Media by Bill Hubick.

A Slender Spreadwing in Washington Co., Maryland (6/15/2019). View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

A Slender Spreadwing at Andelot Farm, Kent Co., Maryland (6/7/2014). Media by Ashley Bradford.

Slender Spreadwing in Kent Co., Maryland (9/20/2020). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Pamela Cowart-Rickman.

Slender Spreadwing in Caroline Co., Maryland (7/17/2021). (c) Benjamin Schwartz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Benjamin Schwartz via iNaturalist.

Slender Spreadwing in Howard Co., Maryland (6/25/2011). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist.

A Slender Spreadwing in Charles Co., Maryland (6/13/2020). View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

Slender Spreadwing in Caroline Co., Maryland (7/17/2021). (c) Benjamin Schwartz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Benjamin Schwartz via iNaturalist.

Slender Spreadwing in Somerset Co., Maryland (9/28/2020). (c) Jim Moore (Maryland), some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Jim Moore.

Slender Spreadwing in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (6/20/2022). (c) Jonathan Irons, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Jonathan Irons.

Slender Spreadwing in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Josh Emm.

Slender Spreadwing in Montgomery Co., Maryland (8/16/2008). (c) Dave Roberts, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Dave Roberts.

Slender Spreadwing in Calvert Co., Maryland (9/24/2021). (c) Jason Avery, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Jason Avery.

Slender Spreadwing in Kent Co., Maryland (5/23/2022). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Pamela Cowart-Rickman.

A Slender Spreadwing in Garrett Co., Maryland (7/2/2006). View Record Details Media by Bill Hubick.

A Slender Spreadwing in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/5/2018). View Record Details Media by Tyler Bell.

Slender Spreadwing in Wicomico Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) jugbayjs, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by jugbayjs via iNaturalist.

A Slender Spreadwing in Baltimore Co., Maryland (7/13/2020). View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

Slender Spreadwing in Baltimore Co., Maryland (8/13/2017). (c) richard crook, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by rwcrook via iNaturalist.

Slender Spreadwing in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/20/2010). (c) Mike Ostrowski, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA). View Record Details Media by Mike Ostrowski.

Slender Spreadwing in Kent Co., Maryland (9/20/2020). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Pamela Cowart-Rickman.

Slender Spreadwing in Wicomico Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) jugbayjs, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by jugbayjs via iNaturalist.

Slender Spreadwing in Calvert Co., Maryland (9/11/2021). (c) Jason Avery, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Jason Avery.

Slender Spreadwing in Calvert Co., Maryland (9/24/2021). (c) Jason Avery, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Jason Avery.

A teneral Slender Spreadwing in Howard Co., Maryland (5/31/2013). Media by Richard Orr.

Slender Spreadwing in Kent Co., Maryland (9/19/2020). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Pamela Cowart-Rickman.

A Slender Spreadwing in Harford Co., Maryland (6/8/2017). View Record Details Media by Josh Emm.

Slender Spreadwing in Prince George's Co., Maryland (9/25/2020). (c) Shufan Gao, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Shufan Gao via iNaturalist.

Source: Wikipedia

Lestes rectangularis

Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)^[1]
Secure (NatureServe)^[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Clade:	Pancrustacea
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Suborder:	Zygoptera
Family:	Lestidae
Genus:	Lestes
Species:	L. rectangularis
Binomial name
*Lestes rectangularis* Say, 1839

Lestes rectangularis is a species of damselfly in the family Lestidae, the spreadwings. It is known by the common name slender spreadwing.^[1]^[2] It is native to eastern North America, including eastern Canada and the United States.^[1]^[2]

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. This species lives along springs and drying ponds.^[3]

References

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lestes rectangularis.

^ ^a ^b ^c Paulson, D.R. (2017). "Lestes rectangularis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T51364361A65836814. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T51364361A65836814.en. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c NatureServe. 2015. Lestes rectangularis. NatureServe Explorer. Version 7.1. Accessed January 29, 2016.
^ Slender Spreadwing. Nebraska Dragonflies and Damselflies. University of Nebraska State Museum.

Taxon identifiers
Lestes rectangularis	Wikidata: Q2370071 ADW: Lestes_rectangularis BioLib: 227867 BOLD: 94695 BugGuide: 6459 CoL: 6Q342 EoL: 1034220 GBIF: 5051661 iNaturalist: 104449 IRMNG: 10691579 ITIS: 102071 IUCN: 51364361 NatureServe: 2.119609 NCBI: 411062 Observation.org: 88248 Open Tree of Life: 152366

This article related to damselflies is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information.

Slender Spreadwing

Lestes rectangularis Say, 1839

Synonyms

Tags