Lestes macrostigma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lestes macrostigma |
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The dark spreadwing (Lestes macrostigma) is a type of damselfly. Damselflies are small, delicate insects that look a lot like dragonflies. This particular damselfly belongs to the family called Lestidae, which are known as "spreadwings." They often rest with their wings spread out. You can find the dark spreadwing in many parts of southern Europe and western Asia.
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What Does It Look Like?
The dark spreadwing damselfly can grow up to about 48 millimeters long. That's almost 2 inches! It looks a lot like other common spreadwing damselflies. However, this one is usually darker. It also has more of a blue, powdery coating on its body. This coating is called pruinescence. A cool feature of this damselfly is its large, black pterostigma. These are small, colored spots found near the tips of their wings.
Where Do Dark Spreadwings Live?
This damselfly lives in a wide area. You can find it from the western coasts of Europe all the way to Central Asia and the Middle East. A big part of its European home is around the Mediterranean Sea.
Its home areas are sometimes spread out, like small islands. It is more common in the eastern parts of its range. But how many there are can change a lot. This depends on the weather and climate. In some places, it is very common. In other places, it is rare and sometimes even endangered.
Dark spreadwings are most often found near brackish water. This is water that is a little bit salty. Good examples are coastal areas where rivers meet the sea, called estuaries. They also like salty inland lakes.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
This damselfly often lays its eggs on a plant called saltmarsh bulrush. It will also use other similar plants. These include sea bulrush and common clubrush.
After the male and female damselflies mate, the female usually looks for places to lay her eggs. The male often stays attached to her during this time. She then lays a line of eggs. She places them inside the fibers of aquatic plants. The female has a special tool for laying eggs. It can cut into the plant. It also has tiny sensory hairs called setae.
See also
- List of damselflies of the world (Lestidae)
