| Lestidae is a fairly small family in Ecuador with one genus and four species. 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. Lestes are similar in size to the larger coenagrionids. Most Lestes breed in ponds and lakes. The females oviposit in living plant stems well above the water line or even on shore. The species differ in shape and size of the abdominal appendages. |
