Lestes sponsa

Lestes sponsa
Male
Warren Heath, Hampshire, England
Female
Coire Loch, Glen Affric, Scotland
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Lestidae
Genus: Lestes
Species:
L. sponsa
Binomial name
Lestes sponsa
(Hansemann, 1823)

Lestes sponsa is a damselfly with a wide Palaearctic distribution. It is known commonly as the emerald damselfly or common spreadwing. Both males and females have a metallic green colour and brown wing spots. It resides near pools with aquatic plants. When resting its wings are usually half opened.