Common Spreadwing vs Dun-bar

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Common Spreadwing	Dun-bar
Scientific Name	Lestes sponsa	Cosmia trapezina
Order	Odonata	Lepidoptera
Family	Lestidae	Noctuidae
Size	35-40 mm wingspan	28-34 mm wingspan
Habitat	Ponds & Lakes	Underground
Diet	Predators	Predators
Regions	Europe, Asia	Europe, Asia
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

Common Spreadwing

A slender metallic green damselfly that characteristically holds its wings half-open at rest. It is widespread across Europe and northern Asia.

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Did You Know?

Spreadwing damselflies lay their eggs into the stems of plants above the waterline, and the eggs overwinter before hatching when water levels rise in spring.

Dun-bar

A late summer noctuid moth whose caterpillars are partly predatory, eating other moth larvae sharing their tree. Variable brown coloration with a distinctive pale bar.

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Did You Know?

Caterpillars are cannibalistic and predatory, readily consuming other moth larvae they encounter on leaves.