Notes on the Michigan Species of Lestes Lestidae is a widely distributed family of large-sized, slender damselflies. There are two genera of Lestidae in North America - Archilestes and Lestes. Archilestes is principally a neotropical genus, with two species found north of Mexico. Lestes is cosmopolitian. Based on current knowledge, male larvae of Lestes cannot always be identified to species.
Several species are able to quickly develop in temporary pool and ponds.
During nightime, when oxygen levels and larval respiration is low, larvae are largely inactive, thus in effect conserving energy for daylight hours when oxygen levels are highest, and supportive of active predation. Width of slenderest part of prementum ca. A biology of dragonflies. Eriksen, C. H. 1984. Fischer, Z. 1972.