Chalcolestes viridis, formerly Lestes viridis, is a damselfly of the family Lestidae. It has a metallic green body and at rest it holds its wings away from its body. Its common name is the willow emerald damselfly, the green emerald damselfly, or the western willow spreadwing. It has an elongated abdomen and pale brown spots on its wings and resides in areas of still water with overhanging trees.
Chalcolestes viridis
C. viridis male
C. viridis teneral male.
Female
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.
Image: Beautiful demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) male 3
Image: Ischnura heterosticta 02
Damselfly head displaying compound eyes, ocelli, antennae, and mouth structures
Male (left) and female of the banded demoiselle, Calopteryx splendens, showing their differently coloured wings