Emerald spreadwing (Lestes dryas)

August 10th, 2023, 6 p.m., cloudy and windless afternoon. In a wet meadow, among dense grass-like plants, I spotted an old male Lestes dryas.

The color of damselflies can indicate their age. Adult males have a powder blue pruinescence, visible at the beginning and end of the abdomen, pronotum, and sides of the thorax. With age, individuals lose their green color and become brown.

Lestes damselflies, belonging to the family Lestidae, are distinguished by holding their wings at approximately 45 degrees to the body when resting.

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