About Chlorolestes tessellatus (Burmeister, 1839)
Chlorolestes tessellatus (Burmeister, 1839), commonly called the forest malachite or mosaic sylph, is a damselfly species belonging to the family Synlestidae. This species is endemic to South Africa. A shade-loving species, it occurs around seeps and streams in forests and wooded valleys. It measures 47–57 mm (1.9–2.2 in) in total body length, with a wingspan that ranges from 55–72 mm (2.2–2.8 in). Males and females of this species look very similar. Their thorax and abdomen are metallic-green when fresh, and change to coppery brown as they age. The thorax has distinct contrasting yellow antehumeral stripes, which are broader than those of the similar-looking Mountain Malachite.
