The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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North Carolina's 189 Odonate species
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Related Species in LESTIDAE: Number of records for 2025 = 0

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
[View PDF]		Spotted Spreadwing (Lestes congener) by Ted Wilcox
Compare with: Amber-winged Spreadwing   Swamp Spreadwing  
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.
Lestes_congener

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Map
Click on county for list of all its records for Spotted Spreadwing
Flight Charts
Distribution Currently the northwestern mountains only. NC is near the southeastern edge of the range of this widespread species.
Abundance Males can be abundant in good habitat within at least part of the range. It is possible that the species is not actually rare in the northwestern corner of the state, just poorly surveyed for. However, as we are aware of just two records, it must be considered to be very rare in the state, south only to Watauga County.
Flight Paulson (2011) lists flight dates from May to October over the range. Ted Wilcox reported two individuals on 18 August from Watauga County, and there is a collection record of two individuals on 25 August from Alleghany County.
Habitat Lakes and ponds, with some emergent vegetation around the margins. Roosts in woody vegetation, to a height of 10 feet.

See also Habitat Account for Montane Herbaceous Ponds
Behavior Behavior of this rare species in NC is poorly known. Reportedly can perch well up into trees, perhaps also explaining the few NC records -- though it is at the very southeastern edge of the range here.
Comments The species is obviously poorly known in the state. Additional surveys should be conducted in the northern mountain counties, particularly around alder thickets.
State Rank S1
State Status SR
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-17 13:03:35
Photo Gallery for Spotted Spreadwing   1 photos are shown. Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Spotted Spreadwing, Lestes congenerPhoto 1 by: Ted Wilcox

Comment: Watauga, 2007-08-18