Great Spreadwing
The Great Spreadwing is our largest spreadwing.
Great Spreadwings have distinctive yellow stripes along the sides of the thorax.
Female Great Spreadwings have blue streaks along their abdomens, and a large bulbous tip at the end of the abdomen.
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. I also saw one at Koogler Reserve in Beavercreek in 2024.
Great Spreadwings fly primarily from August through October. I have found them as late as October 27th.