Emerald Spreadwing (damselfly)
The emerald spreadwing is a vibrant green damselfly. It typically rests with its wings open, hence the name. These beautiful insects live at the edges of freshwater ponds and in marshy areas, laying eggs in the water, but preferring to stay close to the vegetation as adults. They prey on smaller insects and, in turn, are eaten by larger insects, birds, fish, and frogs.
This species has a wide range across much of North America, across Europe, and into Asia. They are active in April and May in the southern part of their range, often moving north through the summer, with eggs lying dormant through the colder months.
Damselflies, especially their eggs and larvae, are very sensitive to environmental conditions, so they are one of many indicator species that signal health of the local ecosystem.
What do you love about this particular creature?
What do they reveal to you about God and our faith?
The emerald spreadwing presents as both very strong and very vulnerable. They look incredibly delicate, with gossamer wings and long, thin bodies. Yet those wings are capable of flight, enabling them to overtake other insects for food, beating so fast that they become a blur to the human eye.
They are highly adaptable in some ways, but deeply sensitive to the environment in other ways. And most people, myself included, tend to think of them as incredibly beautiful creatures. I think it is often our call as people of God to both tap into the strength and the incredible gifts that God has given us, but also to be aware of our humanity, owning our vulnerability and brokenness. And then to look at it all – ourselves, our neighbors, our communities – as incredibly beautiful in both our strength and our weakness.
Author - The Rev. Steven Wilco
The Rev. Steven Wilco is a Lutheran pastor serving as Interim Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. I live in the Connecticut River watershed near the joining of the Connecticut and Chicopee Rivers.
God of Word and Light, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of all creatures above and below. Mercifully grant that, as the disciples were granted to see Christ on earth, our eyes would be opened to the spiritual reality all around us today; through Jesus the Wisdom of Creation, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Creation Collect for St Michael and All Angels from Season of Creation, A Celebration Guide for Episcopal Parishes