Chlorolestes umbratus | |
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Male | |
Conservation status
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Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Odonata |
Suborder: | Zygoptera |
Family: | Synlestidae |
Genus: | Chlorolestes |
Species: | C. umbratus
|
Binomial name | |
Chlorolestes umbratus Hagen in Selys, 1862
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Chlorolestes umbratus, the white malachite is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae. It is endemic to southern South Africa. This species is found along rivers and streams in both forest and fynbos.[2]
Although its range is restricted, and has declined in the past, this species is locally common and has recovered where alien tree species have been removed from waterways.[1]
A small malachite; 38–47 mm long with a wingspan of 46–52 mm. Some males develop a whitish pruinose-blue bloom on the upper thorax, and smoky-black wing bands. Non-pruinose males and females have a metallic-green or brown thorax and abdomen; the thorax has yellow antehumeral stripes. Both sexes can be distinguished from other malachites by their small size, uniformly coloured pterostigmata and wing venation.[2]