Diet

• Archilestes grandis is a predatory damselfly. Adults capture small flying insects, including mosquitoes, flies, small moths, and other soft-bodied insects, usually taking prey in short flights from vegetation.

• The aquatic naiads are also predators, feeding on mosquito larvae, other aquatic insect larvae, small crustaceans, and other small aquatic organisms.

Range

• The Great Spreadwing is one of the most widespread species of Archilestes, ranging from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America to Colombia and Venezuela.

• It is widespread in Mexico, including Guerrero, and is therefore expected in the Zihuatanejo region where suitable freshwater habitat occurs.

Habitat

• It is strongly associated with freshwater, particularly small ponds, marshes, pools, and slow-moving streams. Adults commonly perch on grasses, shrubs, reeds, and overhanging vegetation near the water.

• Around Zihuatanejo, it can occur along permanent and seasonal streams, ponds, drainage channels, and other freshwater sites surrounded by tropical dry forest, woodland, or dense vegetation.

Description

• Archilestes grandis is a large spreadwing damselfly, reaching approximately 50–62 mm in length, making it one of the largest damselflies in North America.

• The body is predominantly brown, with a conspicuous yellow stripe along each side of the thorax and contrasting metallic greenish markings. Adults have relatively large, broadly spread wings and a long abdomen.

• Males typically have bright blue eyes and become darker with maturity, while females are generally paler. Older individuals may develop a whitish, waxy coating (pruinosity) on the terminal abdominal segments.

• Like other spreadwings, it commonly rests with the wings partially spread rather than folded completely over the abdomen.