Върбово кротиче (Chalcolestes viridis)
• English name: Western Willow Spreadwing
• German name: Westliche Weidenjungfer
• French name: Leste vert
• Dutch name: Houtpantserjuffer
• Swedish name: Västlig trädflickslända
• Norwegian name: N/A
• Finnish name: Pajukeijukorento
• Danish name: Grøn kobbervandnymfe
• Italian name: Verdina maggiore
• Czech name: šídlatka velká
• Slovenian name: Zelena pazverca
• Bulgarian name: Върбово кротиче
Върбово кротиче
(Chalcolestes viridis)
Not present
Present before 1990
Present after 1990
Present before and after 1990
Present after 2015
Map data based on J.-P. Boudot & V. J. Kalkman (eds.),
Atlas of the European Dragonflies and Damselflies
| General | • a fairly large, metallic green or brown species; common throughout Europe except the British Isles, Scandinavia and south-eastern Europe | |
| Classification | • suborder: Zygoptera (damselflies); family: Lestidae | |
| Conservation status | • IUCN Red List Europe: Least Concern | |
| Scientific name | • Chalcolestes viridis (Vander Linden, 1825) | |
| Name genus | • Chalcolestes: from Grk. χαλκός = copper, bronze +; λῃστής = robber, thief | |
| Name species | • viridis: from Lat. viridis, -is, -e = green | |
| Distribution | • click or tap the Map button above | |
| Habitat | • still or slow-flowing waters with trees or bushes on the banks | |
| Dimensions | • typical body length: 39-48 mm; hindwing: 23-28 mm | |
| Notes | • like all other (Chalco)lestes species, often spreads its wings at a 45° angle when at rest | |
| • females lay their eggs in soft-wooded trees, e.g. willow (Salix sp.), near the water's edge | ||
| • (Chalco)lestes species overwinter as eggs (in diapause) rather than as larvae or adults | ||
| • used to be known as Lestes viridis | ||
| Both sexes | Thorax | ➤ the side of the thorax has a metallic green or brown 'spur' |
| Abdomen | • there is no pruinescence on the abdomen | |
| Wings | • the large pterostigma is dark golden yellow | |
| Male | Abdomen | ➤ the tip and sides of the male's upper appendages are often (extensively) black |
| Female | Abdomen | ➤ the ovipositor bears 10-14 smallish teeth |
| Photographs | • nearly all of our photos below were made in Tuscany |
LineDrawing: Chalcolestes viridis and C. parvidens: the male's appendages in dorsal view.
