Basking malachite  (Chlorolestes apricans)

Description

This striking damselfly has a bright metallic-green body with white, powdery splashes on its head and thorax. It is one of the damselflies that sits with its wings held open (2) (3). In this position, the black and white wing patches are very conspicuous. As its name 'apricans' (from the Latin 'apricor', meaning 'to sun oneself' (4)) implies, it is often observed sitting in full sunshine, which highlights the iridescent colouring (2) (3).

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