| Lestidae is a fairly small family in Costa Rica with two genera and about 10 species. Of these five have been recorded to date in the Monteverde area. They typically perch in a head up position with the wings partly open, but not quite horizontal. Less often, they rest with the wings together like coenagrionids. The labrum is often blue, the thorax dull black and brown with blue or metallic green stripes, and the abdomen shaded with metallic green dorsally. Both males and females develop a gray-white pruinescence with age, especially on abdominal segments 8 and 9. Females generally display duller versions of the male patterns. The species of Archilestes are large and stout-bodied, 55-70 mm long; while Lestes are about the size of the larger coenagrionids. Most Lestes breed in ponds and lakes. Archilestes all breed in pools in streams, although A. grandis sometimes breeds in ponds as well. The females oviposit in living plant stems well above the water line or even on shore. The genera are separated by differences in wing venation. The species differ in shape and size of the abdominal appendages. |
