Slender Spreadwing (Lestes rectangularis), male, taken June 22, 2025, in Georgia, US
A still slightly teneral damselfly perched on a thorny vine! Spreadwings are absolutely wonderful damselflies, named for their habit of spreading their wings at about a 45° angle from the abdomen when perching. They're extremely large for damselflies, a little under twice the size of the second largest species in my area in terms of length. The abdomen of this species' males has a blue triangle on it, distinguishing it from the frequently seen Swamp Spreadwing (Lestes vigilax), which has a bare abdomen in females or a white band in males. Males of this species also have lovely blue eyes and two blue stripes on the thoras, whereas male swamp spreadwings are a solid metallic green on top!
