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Species account
Small Spreadwing
(Lestes virens)
(Charpentier, 1825)
Spreadwings (Lestidae) [Dragonflies] SMSP 24777
Spreadwings (Lestidae) [Dragonflies] SMSP 24777
Lille Kobbervandnymfe (dk)
Lestes Menor (es)
Mindre Smaragdflickslända (se)
Synonyms (common):
Small Emerald Damselfly (gb)
Synonyms (scientific):
Agrion paedisca Eversmann, 1836
Lestes vestalis Rambur, 1842
Lestes virens marikovski Belyshev, 1961
Lestes vestalis Rambur, 1842
Lestes virens marikovski Belyshev, 1961
Subspecies
virens
W Mediterranean, S France and Thyrrhenean islands. Form paler on the thorax, with longer antehumeral stripe, bronze on thorax restricted; individuals from W Iberian pen. show bicolored wing marks, like barbarus.
vestalis
N and E Europe. As described in text. Becoming paler toward the SE.
nimidicus
Samraoui, Weekers & Dumont (2003) - Autumn generation from Algeria. Described as more coppery with age than the other forms. Species status claimed, but not clarified yet. Small Spreadwing (gb).
Measurements:
To 30-39mm Ab 25-32mm Hw 19-23mm
Flight period:
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Identification:
Similar species:
Life stages:
Females, in tandem or solo, insert eggs into plant material above water level (dried out or wet). Eggs overwinter and larvae develop to imago in few months (same season).
Distribution:
Most of Europe and northern Morocco and Algeria; absent British isles and most of Scandinavian peninsula except for Southern Sweden. Also eastward through C Asia including Kazakhstan. In Denmark only present at one locality in Jylland near the German border and on Bornholm. Accidental elsewhere without known reproduction.
Habitat:
Behavior:
Host plants:
Pindsvineknop (Sparganium)
Klaseskærm (Oenanthe)
Siv (Juncus)
Klaseskærm (Oenanthe)
Siv (Juncus)
Endemic:
Redlist
(?):NE: Not evaluated
NA: Not applicable
DD: Data deficient
LC: Least concern
NT: Near threatened
VU: Vulnerable
EN: Endangered
CR: Critically endangered
EW: Extinct in the wild
EX: Extinct
RE: Regionally extinct
NA: Not applicable
DD: Data deficient
LC: Least concern
NT: Near threatened
VU: Vulnerable
EN: Endangered
CR: Critically endangered
EW: Extinct in the wild
EX: Extinct
RE: Regionally extinct
LC(global) LC(eu) LC(EU) LC(dk)
Status
Very local in Denmark with only two stable populations, one at Bastemosen, Bornholm and Rådhus Polde in Frøslev plantage near the German border. All other observations seem to be of single vagrant individuals: Fandens Hul (Helsingør), Dyrehaven (Lyngby-Taarbæk), Kongelunden (Dragør), Røsnæs (Kalundborg), Odense
Comment:
My experience with the species is limited, but of the two females I have seen (see photos of 2023), the ovipositor has been much darker than what is normally described for the species and confirmed by many online photos.
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2345
(2 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2337
(2 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2338
(4 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2339
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2340
(2 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2341
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2342
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2343
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2344
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2336
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2346
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2347
(2 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male Probably incidental that the appendages spread out in this moment of defecating. |
|
2348
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2349
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2350
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2351
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2352
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2328
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2320
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2321
(2 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2322
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2324
(3 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2325
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2326
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2327
(2 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2319
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2329
(2 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2331
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2332
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male With a slightly damaged S7. Damaged |
|
2333
(2 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2334
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2335
(1 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male |
|
2330
(4 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Female Another example of a female where the ovipositor is not as pale as is normally stated. Normally the black is restricted to the underside of it, but both females I saw this day had clearly blackish color on the side as well. |
|
2323
(4 photos)
2023-09-11 Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark Imago Male & Female The only thing that seems off compared to what the literature says, is that the ovipositor is rather dark where it normal is pale. Knowing that sponsa [Almindelig Kobbervandnymfe] is present as well at this bog it would be tempting to then conclude that it probably is a such. But except for this all the features for virens are present, and I prefer to conclude that some virens do not show a pale ovipositor, why that character can only be used as supporting evidence. |