North Carolina's 189 Odonate species

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Sort Species by: Family   Scientific Name       [ Undocumented ]
Related Species in LESTIDAE: Number of records for 2024 = 0
Added in 2024 from a previous year = 1

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Slender Spreadwing (Lestes rectangularis) by John Petranka, Sally Gewalt
Compare with: Southern Spreadwing  
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
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 S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-17 13:23:25

Photo Gallery for Slender Spreadwing   34 photos are available.
Only the most recent 30 are shown.
Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: Ken Kneidel

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2022-07-15, West Branch Nature Preserve
Photo 2 by: Robby Deans

Comment: Forsyth, 2022-06-04, Rural Hall; iNaturalist Record #122424607
Photo 3 by: B. Bockhahn

Comment: Rockingham, 2021-08-10,
Photo 4 by: P Dixon

Comment: Madison, 2021-08-07, Hot Springs area
Photo 5 by: B. Bockhahn

Comment: Cherokee, 2020-06-18, Hiawasee River Bridge
Photo 6 by: B. Bockhahn

Comment: Cherokee, 2020-06-18, Hiawasee River Bridge
Photo 7 by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn

Comment: Clay, 2019-09-04, Nantahala National Forest - female
Photo 8 by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn

Comment: Clay, 2019-09-04, Nantahala National Forest - female
Photo 9 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Watauga, 2019-08-08, Elk Knob State Park (ELKN); small marshy pond
Photo 10 by: R. Emmitt

Comment: Orange, 2019-06-09, our back yard. - male in our back yard.
Photo 11 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2018-08-12, Hot Springs area
Photo 12 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 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: 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 15 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Watauga, 2018-06-02, Brookshire Park; Boone - immature males
Photo 16 by: Aaron Edmonds

Comment: Harnett; C, 2018-05-15, Flat Branch
Photo 17 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Buncombe, 2017-06-04, Carrier Park, Asheville - Male and Female
Photo 18 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 19 by: Kristy Baker

Comment: Dare; OBM, 2015-06-10
Photo 20 by: Doug Johnston, Vin Stanton

Comment: Graham, 2013-07-16, Tulula Bog - Male
Photo 21 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 22 by: Rob Van Epps

Comment: Cabarrus, 2012-05-19, Near 35.456155, -80.769583, iNaturalist Record #4779922
Photo 23 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 24 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Gail Lankford, Janie Owen

Comment: Madison, 2012-05-17, French Broad River, Pisgah National Forest - Male & Female
Photo 25 by: Chelsea Rath

Comment: Burke; M, 2011-07-28, Blue Ridge Parkway
Photo 26 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Henderson, 2011-06-28, Fletcher Park Pond - Male & Female
Photo 27 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Henderson, 2011-06-28, Fletcher Park Pond - Male & Female
Photo 28 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Buncombe, 2011-06-25, Richmond Hill Park, Asheville - Male & Female
Photo 29 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Buncombe, 2011-06-25, Richmond Hill Park, Asheville - Male & Female
Photo 30 by: R. Emmitt, R Rittmaster

Comment: Durham, 2010-06-06 - Ellerbe Beaver Marsh