Lestes elatus

Lestes elatus is a species of damselfly in the family Lestidae, the spreadwings. It is known commonly as the emerald spreadwing. It is native to India, Thailand and Sri Lanka. It is a common and widespread species that may be present in other countries.

This damselfly breeds in ponds, including areas degraded by pollution. Though no race described, a lot of color variations due to age-differences are common. Can be easily distinguished from other species of this genus by its unique metallic thoracic stripes.