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Sweetflag Spreadwing Damselfly

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This Damselfly can be very difficult to separate from the Common and lyre tipped Spreadwing.

The male's thorax is blackish above with pale shoulder stripes and pale tan to bluish gray sides. Often there are small dark spots on lower sides of the thorax. The abdomen is blackish above with a pale gray tip when mature. The colors are obscured by pruinosity as the Spreadwing age, especially in males.

The male is usually elongated with the female more stocky. The female's thorax is blackish above with pale shoulder stripes. The abdomen is blackish above as well. The Common and Lyre-Tipped Spreadwing are very similar to the Sweetflag Spreadwing in appearance. The body length varies from 3 to 4 cm. Both genders often have a pale brown spot on lower sides of the thorax.

The Sweetflag Spreadwing is usually found around ponds, marshy lakes, and slow streams. It ranges throughout eastern United States and southeastern Canada. It is occasionally found in the pacific northwest. However, it is very rare on Vancouver Island and you should consider yourself lucky to see one.

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