Lestes sponsa (Hansemann, 1823)

Medium-sized (35-39 mm), this species has a bright metallic green body and a dark pterostigma. It can be separated from the similar L. dryas by the more thin body and above all by the abdominal appendages shape. In males the lower ones are straight and pointed. In females the ovipositor just reach the 10^th abdominal segment.

In flight from June to October, more abundant in August.

This species occurs in still water habitats like ponds, ditches with abundant vegetation, lake borders with reed beds and oxbow lakes. It can be found also in rice fields and bogs.

L. sponsa can be observed in most of Europe and it is widespread also in northern regions (in Finland it reaches the Arctic Circle). It is less common in continental southern regions. Unlike the plain of Vercelli and Novara, in the plain of Cuneo this species seems to be rather rare and localized.