Lestes barbarus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lestes barbarus |
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Lestes barbarus is a type of damselfly that belongs to the Lestidae family, also known as spreadwings. You might hear it called the southern emerald damselfly, shy emerald damselfly, or migrant spreadwing. These damselflies are known for holding their wings slightly open when they are resting.
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Where Does the Migrant Spreadwing Live?
The Lestes barbarus damselfly is mostly found across Europe and central Asia. You can also find smaller groups in North Africa. This species is slowly spreading further north.
It lives across southern Europe, from Spain, France, Italy, and Greece. Its range extends all the way to India and Mongolia. It is not as common in northern Europe. However, some have been seen as far north as Sweden. In the Netherlands, it breeds in coastal sand dunes and its numbers are growing.
This damselfly is also found in North Africa. Its Latin name comes from the first specimen found in Barbary, North Africa. It likes to live near still water. You can often find it in stagnant (not flowing) or slightly salty water.
Migrant Spreadwings in Britain
The Lestes barbarus was first seen in Britain at Winterton Dunes, Norfolk, on July 30, 2002. In 2003 and 2004, it was spotted at Sandwich Bay, Kent. By 2018, it was confirmed that this damselfly had successfully bred in Britain for the very first time.
How to Identify a Migrant Spreadwing
This damselfly looks like other Lestes damselflies. It has a shiny metallic green body. When it rests, it holds its wings slightly away from its body.
Unique Wing Spots
One special way to tell it apart is by its pterostigma. This is a small, colored spot near the tip of its wings. The Lestes barbarus has a two-colored pterostigma. This unique feature helps identify it from other European Lestes species.
The male's tail parts and the female's egg-laying tool (ovipositor) also look different. They are not like those of L. sponsa or L. dryas.
Young Damselflies
Young Lestes barbarus damselflies (immatures) have pale pterostigmata. They only develop the special two-colored spots when they become fully grown adults.
Life Cycle and Behavior
The Lestes barbarus damselfly flies at different times depending on where it lives. In warmer southern areas, it flies from March to October. In northern regions, it mainly flies from June to August.
Daily Habits
Its behavior is similar to that of the L. sponsa damselfly. However, the Lestes barbarus is more likely to be found away from water.
Reproduction
After mating, the male and female damselflies usually stay together. The female then lays her eggs on plants near the water. The eggs spend the winter in a resting state called diapause. This means they pause their development.
In the spring, the larvae (young damselflies) hatch from the eggs. These larvae grow quickly, usually within two months. The adult damselflies then emerge in the late spring.
See also
- List of damselflies of the world (Lestidae)
