Chlorolestes draconicus
Species of damselfly
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chlorolestes draconicus, the Drakensberg malachite, is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae.
| Chlorolestes draconicus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Suborder: | Zygoptera |
| Family: | Synlestidae |
| Genus: | Chlorolestes |
| Species: | C. draconicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Chlorolestes draconicus Balinsky, 1956 | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Chlorolestes draconica Balinsky, 1956 [orth. error] | |
Distribution and status
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.[2]
Habitat
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
