Lestes

Species of Lestes are medium-sized to large, slender damselflies, typically coloured green, bronze or brown with a metallic sheen. Unlike most damselflies, they usually rest with their wings held partly open, a characteristic that gives rise to the common name "spreadwings".

The wings have an elongated pterostigma near the tip of the leading edge, a characteristic feature of the family Lestidae. Males typically possess long, strongly curved appendages used to clasp females during mating.

Species of Lestes occur throughout much of the world, inhabiting ponds, marshes, swamps, lagoons and other still or slow-moving freshwater habitats.

Lestes is the largest genus in the family Lestidae. Modern studies support the recognition of Lestidae as a distinct family of damselflies, but suggest that relationships within the family may require further revision and that the broadly defined genus Lestes may be subdivided in the future.

The genus name Lestes comes from the Greek word λῃστής (lēistēs) meaning thief, referring to the predatory behaviour of damselflies.

The following species are currently placed in Lestes:

The fossil record of the genus Lestes extends from the Late Eocene to the present, with fossils known from Europe and Asia, indicating a long history and broad distribution.

• †Lestes aquisextana
• †Lestes arvernus
• †Lestes brisaci
• †Lestes ceresti
• †Lestes conexus
• †Lestes datangensis
• †Lestes dianacompteae
• †Lestes forsterii
• †Lestes irenea
• †Lestes leucosia
• †Lestes ligea
• †Lestes lutzi
• †Lestes peisinoe
• †Lestes plicata
• †Lestes regina
• †Lestes sieblosiformis
• †Lestes statzi
• †Lestes vicina
• †Lestes zalesskyi