North Carolina's 189 Odonate species

«      »

Sort Species by: Family   Scientific Name       [ Undocumented ]
Related Species in LESTIDAE: Number of records for 2024 = 0

PDF has more details,
e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
[View PDF]
Amber-winged Spreadwing (Lestes eurinus) by John Petranka, Jim Petranka
Compare with: Spotted Spreadwing   Elegant Spreadwing  
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.

[Google images]     [Global Biodiversity Information Facility]      iNaturalist
Map
Click on county for list of all its records for Amber-winged Spreadwing
Flight Charts
Distribution Scattered throughout the mountains and the northern Piedmont. The only record for the southern half of the Piedmont is for Mecklenburg County. This is a northern species nearing the southeastern extent of its range in the state; there are records from South Carolina and western Georgia.
Abundance Uncommon and local in the mountains, but it can be numerous at a few ponds; seemingly quite rare in some areas of the mountains. Rare in the Piedmont portion of the range. There are only a few daily counts of more than 8 individuals; the highest known daily count of adults is 30 individuals, at a pond in Jackson County.
Flight In the mountains, from mid-May to late August. The relatively few Piedmont records fall between early May and early September.
Habitat Mainly in ponds and lakes, even small wetlands, but with some emergent vegetation along the shores.
Behavior This species is more active along pond margins than other spreadwings. With its large size, it is easier for an observer to spot along the edges -- especially given the notable amounts of light blue on the male's thorax and abdomen tip.
Comments Considering the potential to occur in most Piedmont counties, we have only a few recent records from the province, possibly suggesting a decline in this region. Thankfully, there have been a moderate number of recent records, many documented with photos, for the mountains. The N.C. Natural Heritage Program put the species on its Watch List in late 2012.
State Rank S3
State Status W
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-17 13:06:36

Photo Gallery for Amber-winged Spreadwing   25 photos are shown. Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: Nathaniel Schwartz

Comment: Buncombe, 2022-06-28, North Carolina Arboretum at the Willow Pond, iNaturalist Record #124743856
Photo 2 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-06-08, Hot Springs area
Photo 3 by: Mark Swanson

Comment: Avery, 2019-06-02 - Photographed near Linville River in Gill State Forest
Photo 4 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Wilkes; P, 2019-05-26, Wilkes County Sustainable Rest Stop, US 421 near exit 282 - adult male
Photo 5 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-25, Pond beside Breedlove Road, 5 km northeast of Cashiers - many tandem pairs
Photo 6 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-25, Pond beside Breedlove Road, 5 km northeast of Cashiers - many tandem pairs
Photo 7 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt.

Comment: Watauga, 2018-06-15, Elk Knob State Park, small marshy pond. Elevation ca. 4,400ft. - Males.
Photo 8 by: John Petranka

Comment: Madison, 2018-05-13, Along the French Broad River at Murray Branch Recreation Area. - Teneral Female.
Photo 9 by: Jim Petranka

Comment: Madison, 2017-06-30, Along the edge of a partially shaded woodland pond about 3 miles SSW of Mars Hill.
Photo 10 by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka

Comment: Madison, 2016-06-07, Shelton Laurel Creek, along NC Hwy. 208 just north of confluence with Big Laurel Creek. Males. Photo.
Photo 11 by: J. Mickey

Comment: Wilkes; P, 2015-07-01, Stone Mountain State Park - On a small pond near upper parking lot.
Photo 12 by: Curtis Smalling

Comment: Wilkes; M, 2015-06-16, WRC fishing put-in on Triplett Rd. - numerous in 100 m of creek
Photo 13 by: Tim Deering

Comment: Buncombe, 2015-05-20, Small pond, northern Buncombe - Just emerged
Photo 14 by: Vin Stanton, Virginia Senechal

Comment: Henderson, 2013-06-20, Fletcher Park, Fletcher - Male
Photo 15 by: Curtis Smalling

Comment: Watauga, 2012-06-26, at small pond on Snake Mountain State Park property - at pond
Photo 16 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Henderson, 2012-06-14, Fletcher Park. Fletcher
Photo 17 by: Doug Johnston, Simon Thompson, Gail Lankford, Vin Stanton

Comment: Henderson, 2011-08-06, Fletcher Park - Male
Photo 18 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston

Comment: Buncombe, 2011-07-13, Richmond Hill Park, Asheville
Photo 19 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston

Comment: Buncombe, 2011-07-13, Richmond Hill Park, Asheville
Photo 20 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Buncombe, 2011-06-24, Richmond Hill Park, Asheville - Male
Photo 21 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Buncombe, 2011-06-24, Richmond Hill Park, Asheville - Male
Photo 22 by: Taylor Piephoff

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2010-06-10, Bradford Park
Photo 23 by: Taylor Piephoff

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2010-06-10, Bradford Park
Photo 24 by: R. Emmitt

Comment: Orange, 2004-05-25, mated pair
Photo 25 by: R Emmitt

Comment: Clay, 2002-05-24. ID comments by John Petranka: "teneral/very immature male Amber-winged Spreadwing that has not yet developed its adult coloration (i.e. is female-like in body color; the wings may not yet be very amber or their amber color may not show well on this background). Note the pattern of dark markings on the thorax. The dark border in Swamp Spreadwings is straight or very slightly undulating. In this individual the border is jagged with 2-3 tooth-like antero-ventrally pointing projections. Also on the thorax note the 2 ventro-lateral dark patches, the rear-most of which comes up to meet the pleural suture and the more anterior of which touches the middle projection."