Butterflies, Moths, Dragonflies & Damselflies of Dayton, Ohio

Great Spreadwing 

The Great Spreadwing is our largest spreadwing. They fly primarily from August through October. I have found them as late as October 27th.

Great Spreadwings have distinctive yellow stripes along the sides of their thorax. 

Female Great Spreadwings have blue streaks along their abdomens, and a large bulbous tip at the end of the abdomen. 

And below, we have a habitat shot! Great Spreadwing hanging out in front of a miniature waterfall at Cox Arboretum. 

There is a healthy population of Great Spreadwings at Cox Arboretum, where I see this species in good numbers every fall. 

Another view of a female Great Spreadwing. 

Mated pair of Great Spreadwings at Pearl's Fen in Fairborn. In 2021, I found Great Spreadwings at Pearl's Fen and Oakes Quarry, my first sightings of this species at both locations.