GREAT SPREADWING Archilestes grandis

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES OF WEST VIRGINIA SPECIES PAGE

This species is the only spreadwing found in West Virginia (and indeed in the region) that is not a member of the genus Lestes. It is enormous, the largest damselfly in the state and region, reaching lengths of about 2.3 inches. Like other spreadwings, it holds it wings out to the side, almost like a dragonfly, though perhaps not as widely spread.

Viewed from above, the thorax is brown and has a broad green stripe on each side. In older individuals this green stripe is dull or obscured by pruinesence. Viewed from the side, the lower part of the thorax has two broad yellow stripes (the lower one may seem incomplete).

The tip of the abdomen is whitish.

As in all male spreadwings, Great Spreadwing males have a very prominent clasper used to clasp the female in mating. Females are similar to the males but have a thicker abdomen, and of course females have an ovipositor instead of the claspers.

Male Great Spreadwings spend a lot of time hanging diagonally from waterside plants such as cattails, only occasionally flying out to feed or look for females. Females are seldom seen at the water until time to mate; prior to this they are sometimes seen feeding in the woods or at the edge of the woods.

Once considered a species of the southwestern U.S., the Great Spreadwing has moved into the East and then the Northeast, and is now fully established as a West Virginia resident. As of 2007 the counties reporting this species were Barbour, Upshur, Marion, and Preston, but it undoubtedly lives in many other locations around the Mountain State.

Look for Great Spreadwings at ponds, temporary ponds, and slow-moving streams. They are seen most often in West Virginia in August and September.

The two broad yellow stripes are key characteristics for this species, as is the large size (for a damselfly) which is sure to get your attention.

Note the blue eyes and face. On this specimen the green dorsal stripes are starting to be obscured.

A thicker abdomen is characteristic of female Great Spreadwings. Note too the lack of claspers.

Another female, this time in profile. Note the thicker abdomen, also the ovipositor (the appendage at the tip of the abdomen, below the main part of the abdomen). At lower right are exuviae, cast off by the species’ aquatic larvae when they left the water for the last time.

All images on this page are © Stephen Cresswell.

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