| Ecchlorolestes peringueyi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Wings of E. peringueyi ♂ from Ceres, South Africa. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Suborder: | Zygoptera |
| Family: | Synlestidae |
| Genus: | Ecchlorolestes |
| Species: | E. peringueyi |
| Binomial name | |
| Ecchlorolestes peringueyi (Ris, 1921) | |
Ecchlorolestes peringueyi is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae. It is commonly known as the marbled malachite.
This large damselfly earns its common name from its dark metallic, cryptic colouration, which perfectly camouflages it against the mottled, lichen-covered boulders upon which it habitually sits. Its body is primarily black, but features brown markings along its long, slender abdomen, it is particularly at the joints between segments, and is bluish, slate-grey colouring at the tip.
The marbled malachite is endemic to South Africa. It is only known from protected areas within the Cape Fold Mountains of the Western Cape.
Its natural habitat is rivers. It is also found along clear, shallow streams with an abundance of large, lichen-covered boulders. Two populations of marbled malachites exist at high elevation locations over 1,000 metres above sea level, while a third population is at 400 metres above sea level.
There is virtually nothing known about the marbled malachite’s reproductive biology, life history patterns or feeding behaviour.
Marbled malachites were probably never widespread or abundant, but early records nevertheless reveal that it was once found at many more localities than it is today. Despite its historical declines, however, the current population of this species appears to be stable, both in range and size, and habitat destruction, mostly for plantation forestry, has largely subsided. Even so, this damselfly species remains vulnerable to several threats that have the potential to impact dramatically on such small and specialized populations. Alien invasive trees, which shade out the habitat, are considered one of the most pervasive and significant threats facing specialized, endemic South African dragonflies and damselflies. Introduced trout pose a serious threat to endemic dragonflies and damselflies through predation.
The marbled malachite occurs within protected areas. A massive national rehabilitation programme (Working with Water Programme) began in 1995 with the aim of eradicating invasive alien plants in South Africa. The programme has been a fantastic success story, with other dragonflies and damselflies like Pseudagrion newtoni that were presumed to be extinct being rediscovered along river stretches where invasive alien trees were removed and the natural vegetation reestablished. This programme has also greatly benefited the marbled malachite, but it is imperative that there is no further encroachment of plantation forestry. It is important that populations are regularly monitored to make sure that they are remaining stable. However, for the time being, this enigmatic damselfly is thought relatively safe from the threat of extinction.
Leucadendron argenteum is an endangered plant species in the family Proteaceae, which is endemic to a small area of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. Most grow in and around the city of Cape Town, but outlying populations exist near Somerset West (Silwerboomkloof), Paarl and Stellenbosch. It is a protected tree in South Africa.
Chlorolestes apricans is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae.
Chlorolestes draconicus, the Drakensberg malachite, is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae.
Ecchlorolestes nylephtha is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae known commonly as the queen malachite. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is known only from the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces.
Ecchlorolestes is a genus of large damselflies in the family Synlestidae.
Pseudagrion newtoni, the harlequin sprite, is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae.
The Synlestidae are a family of damselflies commonly known as sylphs or malachites. They occur in South Africa, Australia, and South America.
Elattoneura frenulata is a species of damselfly in the family Platycnemididae known commonly as the sooty threadtail or Roetswartdraadstertjie. It is endemic to South Africa. It is a localised endemic of montane areas of the Western Cape, marginally expanding into the western parts of the Eastern Cape. Though it has a restricted distribution, it is locally common. It lives near slow-moving rivers with abundant vegetation.
Pseudagrion citricola is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is commonly known as the yellow-faced sprite.
Chlorolestes fasciatus, the mountain malachite or mountain sylph is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae. It is found in Lesotho, South Africa and Eswatini. Its natural habitat is montane streams.
Allocnemis leucosticta, the goldtail or goudstertjie, is a species of damselfly in the family Platycnemididae. It is endemic to South Africa and Eswatini, where it lives near streams and rivers in wooded areas.
Chlorolestes tessellatus, the forest malachite or mosaic sylph is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae. It is endemic to South Africa. This shade-loving species is found at seeps and streams in forests and wooded valleys.
Syncordulia gracilis, the yellow presba, is a species of dragonfly in the family Synthemistidae.
Chlorolestes conspicuus, the conspicuous malachite is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae. It is endemic to south-western South Africa. This species is found at rivers and streams in both open and wooded valleys.
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.
Proischnura polychromatica, the mauve bluet, is a small species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is endemic to a small area of Cape Province in South Africa. The adult male has a mauve sheen to its dark-coloured body, a bronze-green thorax striped with mauve, and a pale brown abdomen with a bronze-green dorsal stripe. The female is mainly pale brown. The natural habitat of this damselfly is transient pools in stream beds with floating vegetation, especially sedges. Although previously more widespread, it is now known from a single location where it is threatened by the encroachment of cattle and the loss of suitable habitat. For these reasons, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it as "endangered".
Anishus Angusta, Spesbona is a species of damselfly in the family Platycnemididae. The species was moved from the genus Metacnemis in 2013.
Pseudagrion draconis is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is commonly known as the mountain sprite.
Pseudagrion furcigerum is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is commonly known as the Palmiet sprite.
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations .(September 2017) |
