Robust Spreadwing (Lestes dryas) | Species | ||||||||
 (1/160th at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  (1/320th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) DescriptionWingspan: 40 - 50 mm; Body length: 35 - 40 mm Similar to the Common Spreadwing, but it is more heavily built and more brightly coloured. It is found throughout western and central Europe. In the British Isles it is found in Essex, north Norfolk, and central Ireland. It preferes ditches or shallow ponds and lakes, with lots of vegetation. It can tolerate sites which dry out in the summer. Eggs are laid in autumn but don't hatch until spring. Larval development is very rapid, and adults emerge after about eight weeks. They are most abundant in July and August. Adults fly slowly amongst dense emergent vegetation. The Robust Spreadwing is a Red data list species in the UK. Sightings
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