Lestidae

Lestidae is a family of damselflies in the order Odonata, suborder Zygoptera. Commonly known as spreadwings, members of this family are distributed across temperate and tropical regions and are typically found near ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow streams.

Adults are slender, medium-sized damselflies with metallic green or bronze bodies and clear wings. A distinguishing feature is their resting posture: unlike many damselflies that hold their wings closed along the abdomen, many Lestidae rest with their wings partly spread or held at an angle, especially when perched near vegetation or the water.

Larvae (naiads) are aquatic and predatory, developing in wetlands, ponds, and slow-moving aquatic habitats. Adults feed on small flying insects and are commonly observed in sunny, sheltered areas near water, where they hunt from perches or while skim flying along shorelines.

Reproduction involves males establishing territories over water and guarding suitable perches. Females lay eggs by inserting the abdomen into the water during mating, with the male often remaining in tandem. Metamorphosis is incomplete; the aquatic naiads molt into winged adults.

Taxonomy: Lestidae comprises several genera, most notably Lestes, which is widely distributed and well known. The family is part of the broader damselfly group characterized by aquatic larvae and fragile, slender bodies, with wing morphology that aids identification in the field.

Conservation: Some Lestidae species are sensitive to water pollution and habitat alteration. Because of their dependence on clean, still or slow-moving freshwater, they can serve as bioindicators in freshwater ecosystem assessments.