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Sweetflag Spreadwing - Lestes forcipatus

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County Records
Sweetflag Spreadwing - Lestes forcipatus male dorsal

Size: 1.4 - 1.7 in.

An extremely rare species found most often in eastern Iowa.  Looks very much like the more common Southern Spreadwing.  The safest way to identify this critter is to catch a female and look at the ovipositor which is longer and may extend beyond the tip of the abdomen.

Species Status

Global: G5

State: S2

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Sweetflag Spreadwing - Lestes forcipatus male lateral
male lateral
FLIGHT SEASON
JAN FEB MAR
            
APR MAY JUN
            
JUL AUG SEP
            
OCT NOV DEC
            

Early Date: 5/30

Late Date: 7/8

Key to Flight Season Calendar
Rare
Abundance Scale
Abundant
 

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