| Chlorolestes umbratus | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Male | |
| Scientific classification | |
| 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 | |
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]