NC Odonate Website

Related Species in LESTIDAE:

Number of records for 2025 = 0

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Slender Spreadwing (Lestes rectangularis) by John Petranka, Sally Gewalt

Compare with: Southern 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 Slender Spreadwing

Flight Charts

Distribution

Nearly statewide, but practically absent close to the coast. This species ranges over most of the eastern United States.

Abundance

Fairly common to locally common, and widespread, in the mountains; generally uncommon in the Piedmont; rare to uncommon in the western and central Coastal Plain. Only two records for the counties north or south of Albemarle Sound (both in Dare County), and no records in most southern coastal counties. Clearly more numerous in the mountains than downstate, with our three highest single-day counts from this province, and roughly 1.5 times the number of records there than in the Piedmont, despite having only 1/3rd the geographic area.

Flight

A long flight period, covering most of the odonate season. From late March to early November in the Piedmont, and mid-April to mid-November in the Coastal Plain. Surprisingly, the earliest record in the mountains isn't until mid-May, and it occurs to at least early October.

Habitat

Marshy areas, typically around ponds or lakes, but also sometimes slow streams with emergent vegetation.

Behavior

As with other spreadwings, despite its large (i.e., very long) size, adults are usually inconspicuous down into grassy vegetation fairly low along a pond or large shore.

Comments

This is one of the more numerous damselflies in the mountains, but it is widespread (though scarce) downstate. Its range in the lower Coastal Plain needs more elucidation, though it is certainly rare close to tidal water.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-17 13:23:25

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Slender Spreadwing 35 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Henderson, 2024-08-01, Ochlawaha Bog		Photo 2 by: Ken Kneidel Comment: Mecklenburg, 2022-07-15, West Branch Nature Preserve
	Photo 3 by: Robby Deans Comment: Forsyth, 2022-06-04, Rural Hall; iNaturalist Record #122424607		Photo 4 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Rockingham, 2021-08-10,
	Photo 5 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2021-08-07, Hot Springs area		Photo 6 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Cherokee, 2020-06-18, Hiawasee River Bridge
	Photo 7 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Cherokee, 2020-06-18, Hiawasee River Bridge		Photo 8 by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Comment: Clay, 2019-09-04, Nantahala National Forest - female
	Photo 9 by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Comment: Clay, 2019-09-04, Nantahala National Forest - female		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields Comment: Watauga, 2019-08-08, Elk Knob State Park (ELKN); small marshy pond
	Photo 11 by: R. Emmitt Comment: Orange, 2019-06-09, our back yard. - male in our back yard.		Photo 12 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2018-08-12, Hot Springs area
	Photo 13 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Dare; OBU, 2018-06-29, Nags Head Woods Preserve - 6 females and 1 male along Sweetgum Swamp and Blueberry Ridge trails		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Dare; OBU, 2018-06-29, Nags Head Woods Preserve - 6 females and 1 male along Sweetgum Swamp and Blueberry Ridge trails
	Photo 15 by: Barbara McRae Comment: Macon, 2018-06-04, Wetland near Little Tennessee River, in Franklin, perhaps in same location where Duncan Cuyler found one in 1995. - Male; hidden in woody shadows		Photo 16 by: Mike Turner Comment: Watauga, 2018-06-02, Brookshire Park; Boone - immature males
	Photo 17 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2018-05-15, Flat Branch		Photo 18 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2017-06-04, Carrier Park, Asheville - Male and Female
	Photo 19 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Alleghany, 2015-07-14, Stone Mountain State Park (STMO). At small pond below the upper parking lot to Stone Mt. trail. - Males.		Photo 20 by: Kristy Baker Comment: Dare; OBM, 2015-06-10
	Photo 21 by: Doug Johnston, Vin Stanton Comment: Graham, 2013-07-16, Tulula Bog - Male		Photo 22 by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Comment: Durham, 2013-06-20, paddling the Flat River and exploring the nearby impoundment for the most part - male; first for Falls Lake
	Photo 23 by: Rob Van Epps Comment: Cabarrus, 2012-05-19, Near 35.456155, -80.769583, iNaturalist Record #4779922		Photo 24 by: Steve Hall and Harry LeGrand Comment: Northampton, 2012-05-17, Roanoke River Wetlands Game Land, along both sides of US 258 north of the Roanoke River
	Photo 25 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Gail Lankford, Janie Owen Comment: Madison, 2012-05-17, French Broad River, Pisgah National Forest - Male & Female		Photo 26 by: Chelsea Rath Comment: Burke; M, 2011-07-28, Blue Ridge Parkway
	Photo 27 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2011-06-28, Fletcher Park Pond - Male & Female		Photo 28 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2011-06-28, Fletcher Park Pond - Male & Female
	Photo 29 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2011-06-25, Richmond Hill Park, Asheville - Male & Female		Photo 30 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2011-06-25, Richmond Hill Park, Asheville - Male & Female