Description: Dark spreadwing of California, much like Emerald but blackish instead of green.
Male: Thorax metallic bronzy-black in front with narrow pale greenish antehumeral stripes. Lower sides and underside whitish. Abdomen dark bronzy-brown to greenish above, pruinose on S1, basal two-thirds of S2, and S8-10 at maturity.
Famale: Eyes Brown whit bluish tinge above. Color pattern as male but no pruinosity (Paulson, 2009).
Size: Total length: 35-44 mm; hindwing: 21-26 mm.
Similar Species TIt is very difficult to distinguish from the Emerald Spreadwing (Lestes dryas). They probably should be considered of no more tan subspecies Rank, but no oficial change of status has been suggested.
Lestes stultus is black with a dull reddish-purple sheen, while L. dryas is metallic emerald green. L. stultus usually has a pale antehumeral stripe while dryas generally does not and dryas has more extensive dark coloration on the lower part of the thorax.
Habitat: Inhabit slow streams as ponds, small marshy and lakes with abundant emergent vegetation.
Natural History: It is common to see males perch on emergent vegetation over shallow water. Pairs ovoposit on live rushes or sedges.
Distribution: California and Oregon.
Source: Paulson, D. 2009. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West. Princeton University Press. 536 pp.
Johnson, J. 2006. Thoughts on Lestes stultus—Is it a Valid Species? Argia 18(2): 10–11.
Edited by Juan Cruzado (11/03/2016)
