The UK is home to four Emerald Damselflies/Spreadwings:
- Lestes sponsa (Common Spreadwing/Emerald Damselfly)
- Lestes dryas (Robust Spreadwing/Scarce Emerald)
- Lestes barbarus (Migrant Spreadwing/Southern Emerald)
- Chalcolestes viridis (Western Willow Spreadwing/Willow Emerald)
Only one is widespread: the Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa). The Willow Emerald/Western Willow Spreadwing (Chalcolestes viridis), began colonizing the UK in 2009 and is spreading very successfully from its initial bridgehead near Ipswich, Suffolk; it is becoming more widespread. You have to go looking for the other two. 😉
[If this diagram proves difficult to read, clicking on it will get you a slightly larger image.]
