Chlorolestes draconicus

Chlorolestes draconicus, the Drakensberg malachite, is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae.

Chlorolestes draconicus
Male

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Odonata
Family:
Synlestidae
Genus:
Chlorolestes
Species:
C. draconicus
Binomial name
Chlorolestes draconicus
Balinsky, 1956
Synonyms

Chlorolestes draconica Balinsky, 1956 [orth. error]

Distribution and status
Male Drakensberg malachite. Kamberg Nature Reserve

This species has a restricted range in the Drakensberg mountains of Lesotho and South Africa.[1] Its conservation status has been assessed as Least Concern as much of its range falls within the uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park.[1]

Habitat

Its natural habitat is rocky streams at high altitude (1700–3000 m).[2]

Identification

Where Chlorolestes draconicus is found, it is usually outnumbered by the similar Chlorolestes fasciatus. Key differences between these species are the shape of the antehumeral stripe and the shape of the appendages. Chlorolestes draconicus is also larger and darker than Chlorolestes fasciatus.

  • Male
  • Male
  • Detail of male abdomen; ventral view
  • Detail of male abdomen; lateral view
  • Female
  • Female
  • Female
  • Comparison of the thoracic patterns of the Drakensberg malachite (top) and the mountain malachite
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References
  1. Samways, M.J. (2010). "Chlorolestes draconicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  2. Tarboton, W.R.; Tarboton, M. (2002). A fieldguide to the dragonflies of South Africa. ISBN 0620298871.


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