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Number of records for 2023 = 0

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Amber-winged Spreadwing (Lestes eurinus) by John Petranka, Jim Petranka

Compare with: Spotted Spreadwing Elegant Spreadwing
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.

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Map

Click on county for list of all its records for Amber-winged Spreadwing

Flight Charts

Distribution

Scattered throughout the mountains and the northern Piedmont. The only record for the southern half of the Piedmont is for Mecklenburg County. This is a northern species nearing the southeastern extent of its range in the state; there are records from South Carolina and western Georgia.

Abundance

Uncommon and local in the mountains, but it can be numerous at a few ponds; seemingly quite rare in some areas of the mountains. Rare in the Piedmont portion of the range. There are only a few daily counts of more than 8 individuals; the highest known daily count of adults is 30 individuals, at a pond in Jackson County.

Flight

In the mountains, from mid-May to late August. The relatively few Piedmont records fall between early May and early September.

Habitat

Mainly in ponds and lakes, even small wetlands, but with some emergent vegetation along the shores.

Behavior

This species is more active along pond margins than other spreadwings. With its large size, it is easier for an observer to spot along the edges -- especially given the notable amounts of light blue on the male's thorax and abdomen tip.

Comments

Considering the potential to occur in most Piedmont counties, we have only a few recent records from the province, possibly suggesting a decline in this region. Thankfully, there have been a moderate number of recent records, many documented with photos, for the mountains. The N.C. Natural Heritage Program put the species on its Watch List in late 2012.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-17 13:06:36

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Amber-winged Spreadwing 25 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Nathaniel Schwartz Comment: Buncombe, 2022-06-28, North Carolina Arboretum at the Willow Pond, iNaturalist Record #124743856		Photo 2 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-06-08, Hot Springs area
	Photo 3 by: Mark Swanson Comment: Avery, 2019-06-02 - Photographed near Linville River in Gill State Forest		Photo 4 by: Mike Turner Comment: Wilkes; P, 2019-05-26, Wilkes County Sustainable Rest Stop, US 421 near exit 282 - adult male
	Photo 5 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-25, Pond beside Breedlove Road, 5 km northeast of Cashiers - many tandem pairs		Photo 6 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-25, Pond beside Breedlove Road, 5 km northeast of Cashiers - many tandem pairs
	Photo 7 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt. Comment: Watauga, 2018-06-15, Elk Knob State Park, small marshy pond. Elevation ca. 4,400ft. - Males.		Photo 8 by: John Petranka Comment: Madison, 2018-05-13, Along the French Broad River at Murray Branch Recreation Area. - Teneral Female.
	Photo 9 by: Jim Petranka Comment: Madison, 2017-06-30, Along the edge of a partially shaded woodland pond about 3 miles SSW of Mars Hill.		Photo 10 by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka Comment: Madison, 2016-06-07, Shelton Laurel Creek, along NC Hwy. 208 just north of confluence with Big Laurel Creek. Males. Photo.
	Photo 11 by: J. Mickey Comment: Wilkes; P, 2015-07-01, Stone Mountain State Park - On a small pond near upper parking lot.		Photo 12 by: Curtis Smalling Comment: Wilkes; M, 2015-06-16, WRC fishing put-in on Triplett Rd. - numerous in 100 m of creek
	Photo 13 by: Tim Deering Comment: Buncombe, 2015-05-20, Small pond, northern Buncombe - Just emerged		Photo 14 by: Vin Stanton, Virginia Senechal Comment: Henderson, 2013-06-20, Fletcher Park, Fletcher - Male
	Photo 15 by: Curtis Smalling Comment: Watauga, 2012-06-26, at small pond on Snake Mountain State Park property - at pond		Photo 16 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2012-06-14, Fletcher Park. Fletcher
	Photo 17 by: Doug Johnston, Simon Thompson, Gail Lankford, Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2011-08-06, Fletcher Park - Male		Photo 18 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston Comment: Buncombe, 2011-07-13, Richmond Hill Park, Asheville
	Photo 19 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston Comment: Buncombe, 2011-07-13, Richmond Hill Park, Asheville		Photo 20 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2011-06-24, Richmond Hill Park, Asheville - Male
	Photo 21 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2011-06-24, Richmond Hill Park, Asheville - Male		Photo 22 by: Taylor Piephoff Comment: Mecklenburg, 2010-06-10, Bradford Park
	Photo 23 by: Taylor Piephoff Comment: Mecklenburg, 2010-06-10, Bradford Park		Photo 24 by: R. Emmitt Comment: Orange, 2004-05-25, mated pair
	Photo 25 by: R Emmitt Comment: Clay, 2002-05-24. ID comments by John Petranka: "teneral/very immature male Amber-winged Spreadwing that has not yet developed its adult coloration (i.e. is female-like in body color; the wings may not yet be very amber or their amber color may not show well on this background). Note the pattern of dark markings on the thorax. The dark border in Swamp Spreadwings is straight or very slightly undulating. In this individual the border is jagged with 2-3 tooth-like antero-ventrally pointing projections. Also on the thorax note the 2 ventro-lateral dark patches, the rear-most of which comes up to meet the pleural suture and the more anterior of which touches the middle projection."