Western Willow Spreadwing
Chalcolestes viridis
Unlike most damselflies, females insert their eggs directly into the bark of living willow or alder twigs, leaving behind distinctive gall-like scars.
- Scientific name
- Chalcolestes viridis
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Odonata › Lestidae › Chalcolestes
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Willow-lined ponds, canals, ditches, and slow-flowing rivers.
- Diet
- Small flying insects, including mosquitoes, midges, and aphids.
- Range
- Europe, North Africa, Middle East
- Size
- Wingspan of 50-60 mm; body length of 39-48 mm.
- Lifespan
- 1 to 2 months as an adult, up to 1 year including larval stages.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss, pollution of freshwater bodies, and the removal of overhanging riparian vegetation.
- Safe to approach?
- Completely harmless to humans. Observe quietly from a safe distance of 1-2 meters near slow-moving water to watch them hunt. If one lands on you, enjoy the moment and let it fly away naturally. No medical action is ever needed.
Chalcolestes viridis , formerly Lestes viridis , is a damselfly of the family Lestidae. It has a metallic green body and at rest it holds its wings away from its body. Its common name is the willow emerald damselfly or the western willow spreadwing .
Photo: Thomas Bresson, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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