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Dusky spreadwing facts for kids

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Dusky spreadwing
Lestes concinnus damselfly (31576906274).jpg
Female, Thailand
Lestes concinnus male (26987762254).jpg
Male, Thailand
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Lestes concinnus distribution map.svg
Synonyms
  • Lestes paludosus Tillyard, 1906
  • Lestes umbrinus Sélys, 1891
  • Lestes thoracicus Laidlaw, 1920

Lestes concinnus is a species of damselfly in the family Lestidae, the spreadwings. They are so named because they rest with their wings spread. This species is known commonly as the dusky spreadwing. It is a nomadic damselfly found in India, Southeast Asia as far as New Caledonia, and northern parts of Australia.

The adult is a medium-sized damselfly about 40 millimeters long with a wingspan around 45 millimeters. It is dusky-grey on dorsal surfaces graduating to light bluish-green on the sides and beneath. In Australia, the distribution is in suitable habitat in the north-west and north-eastern part of the continent from about Broome to the south-eastern Queensland border.

This species can be found in freshwater habitat types such as river lagoons, ponds, and swamps. Its population size is unknown but it has a wide range. Threats to the species have not been assessed. It is listed as a least-concern species on the IUCN Red List.

Taxonomy

Lestes concinnus was described in 1862 jointly by Hagen and Sélys. Sélys described a new species, Lestes umbrina in 1891 from the specimens he purchased that are collected by Atkinson. Laidlaw and Fraser considered that this can be a synonym of L. concinna. M.A. Lieftinck (1934) synonymised these two species and after that these two species were considered synonyms until 1960; he himself restored the status of these as two different species. Laidlaw also described another species, Lestes thoracicus. Dumont et al. compared the specimens of these three species and concluded that they are synonyms as no structural differences were found among the color forms, varying from pale sand-coloured to greenish-blue.

Gallery

  • Lestes concinnus 282

    Female, Cairns, Queensland, Australia

  • Lestes concinnus damselfly (32269281322)

    Female, Thailand

  • A male Dusky Spreadwing damselfly

    Male showing blue abdomen

  • Lestes concinnus head

    Head

  • Lestes concinnus 0312

    Wing vein diagram right forewing

  • Lestes concinnus female wings (34696162251)

    Photo of female wings

  • Lestes concinnus male wings (34696167371)

    Photo of male wings

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