Damselflies are flying insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies but are usually smaller and have slimmer bodies. Most species fold the wings along the body when at rest, unlike dragonflies which hold the wings flat and away from the body. Damselflies have existed since the Jurassic, and are found on every continent except Antarctica.
The pin-tailed whydah is a small songbird with a conspicuous pennant-like tail in breeding males. It is a resident breeding bird in most of Africa south of the Sahara Desert.
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.
Nesciothemis farinosa (Eastern Blacktail) is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae.
Orthetrum abbotti is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. Common names include little skimmer and Abbott's skimmer.
Platycypha is a genus of African damselflies in the jewel damselfly family (Chlorocyphidae).
Platycypha auripes, also known as Tanzania jewel, is a species of damselfly in the family Chlorocyphidae. It is endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania. It occurs in and around forest streams. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by agriculture and wood extraction.
Platycypha caligata, the dancing jewel, is a species of damselfly in the family Chlorocyphidae. It is found in eastern, central and southern Africa from Ethiopia to Angola and South Africa. Its natural habitats include shady parts of subtropical or tropical streams and rivers in forest, woodland, savanna, and shrubland, and shorelines of lakes.
Platycypha lacustris, also known as forest jewel, is a species of damselfly in the family Chlorocyphidae. It is found in forest of Sub-Saharan Africa in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Its lives around rainforest streams. It is a widespread species that can be threatened by habitat loss.
Chlorocyphidae is a family of damselflies, commonly known as jewels. These are colorful species native to the Old World tropics, where they occur along forest streams. They are most diverse in Southeast Asia.
Pseudagrion caffrum, the springwater sprite is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is found in Lesotho, South Africa and Eswatini. Its natural habitats include montane streams with grassy banks.
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.
Agriocnemis falcifera, the white-masked whisp, is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is endemic to southern Africa. This tiny damselfly is found in grassy fringes of ponds and pools and is gregarious.
Pinheyschna subpupillata, the stream hawker, is a species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae.
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 rotundipennis, the round-winged bluet is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is scarce and localised.
Africallagma sapphirinum, the sapphire bluet, is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is locally common.
