Malachites

Family Synlestidae Tillyard, 1917 

• Genus Chlorolestes Selys, 1862   True Malachites
• Genus Ecchlorolestes Barnard, 1937   Toothed Malachites
• Genus Nubiolestes Fraser, 1945   Rainforest Malachite

Distribution Worldwide

• 10 Genera approximately 40 species 

Distribution in Africa and surrounding Islands

• Most species confined to South Africa (8) with one found in Malawi; Mozambique; Republic of South Africa; Zimbabwe
• One species (Rainforest Malachite) in tropical Africa, unique within its range from south-eastern Nigeria to southern Gabon

Habitat 

• Forested areas, opens streams with well grassed /scrubbed edges on streams 

Taxonomy

• Current research indicate that the Genus Ecchlorolestes  may be incorporated into the Genus Chlorolestes

General identification features

• Often large metallic green species
• Sometimes with conspicuously banded wings.

Synopsis

• Only images of male
• To view females and for the full description of the species click on the images

Images

Amatola Malachite
Chlorolestes apricans

Conspicuous Malachite
Chlorolestes conspicuus 

Drakensberg Malachite
Chlorolestes draconicus,

Elegant Malachite
Chlorolestes elegans

Forest Malachite
Chlorolestus teslatus, 

Mountain Malachite
Chlorolestes fasciatus

Click on images to view species.

Credit

[Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]