Lestes dryas (Emerald Spreadwing)

BC conservation rank: S5. Yellow List.
Description: The thorax top is bright metallic green. Male's lower appendages are foot-shaped (fig. 1). The end of the female's ovipositor reaches the tip of the abdomen. Length: male 36 mm, female 35 mm.
Global Range: Alaska east to the Northwest Territories, James Bay and the north shore of the St. Lawrence River and Nova Scotia; south to Virginia, Nebraska and California (Westfall and May 1996). Faunal element: Widespread (also northern Eurasia) (see Appendix 2).
BC Distribution: Throughout most of BC, but only a few localities north of 57ºN.
Biology: Usually the first spreadwing to emerge in the year. In the south, it is common in early summer, especially around small ponds and places that may dry up in summer. It is less common northwards. Habitat site associations include Wm01, Wm04-06; Wf05-08.
BC flight period: late May to mid September; mostly collected between early June and mid August.

Lestes dryas male. Photograph: George Doerksen, RBCM

Lestes dryas Map 1. Geographical distribution and seasonal abundance of records in British Columbia.

Lestes dryas Map 2. Geographical distribution of records in British Columbia before and after organized surveys began in 1996.

Lestes dryas Map 3. Frequency of records in British Columbia by NTS 1/50,000 mapsheet.

Lestes dryas Map 4. Frequency of collection localities in British Columbia by NTS 1/50,000 mapsheet.