Butterflies, Moths, Dragonflies & Damselflies of Dayton, Ohio

emerald SPREADWING

Emerald Spreadwings are gorgeous damselflies. Their bodies are a beautiful metallic green color, and they gleam like real emeralds in the sunlight. 

This is a male Emerald Spreadwing. This species flies in late May and early June. They prefer fishless wetlands that dry up in late summer and fall. 

This is a female Emerald Spreadwing. Females have bronze colors in addition to the metallic green. 

Emerald Spreadwings are found in both North America and Europe. They are one of very few Ohio odonata species that are found on both continents. 

Emerald Spreadwings have short, stout abdomens. They are much shorter than our other green spreadwings (such as Swamp and Amber-winged Spreadwings). 

The Emerald Spreadwing at left and above was photographed at Cox Arboretum. I have found one other Emerald Spreadwing at Cox to date, but all of my other sightings have been at the Beavercreek Wildlife Area.