Emerald Damselfly

Taxobox
name = Emerald Damselfly

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image_width = 300px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Odonata
subordo = Zygoptera
familia = Lestidae
genus = "Lestes"
species = "L. sponsa"
binomial = "Lestes sponsa"
binomial_authority = (Hansemann, 1823)The Emerald Damselfly, "Lestes sponsa", is a damselfly, 3.5 centimeters long, found in Europe, Asia and North Africa. When resting, its wings are usually half opened. Males have a dark metallic green tone, while females appear rather coppery. The Emerald Damselfly can survive up to 30 minutes under water.

Habitat

Preferred habitats of this species are pools, ponds and moorlands, from central and northern Europe to north Asia at a height of up to 1,200 meters. A population can consist of several hundred insects. The Emerald Damselfly is one of the most frequent kinds of damselflies in Europe, since it adapts very well to many environmental changes.

Behaviour

One of the larger damselflies, this species is most common in July and August. It is often found by ponds and lakes, and is very rarely seen along flowing water. Emerald Damselflies like to perch among reeds, their colour providing good camouflage. They are not as strong fliers as Common Blue or Large Red Damselflies, but they are more likely to be seen on misty, rainy days then those species. When disturbed they usually do not fly very far away, landing on another perch a few yards away. Their habit of perching with their wings half open is characteristic of the family Lestidae.