Marbled malachite (Ecchlorolestes peringueyi)

Marbled malachite
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Marbled malachite fact file

Marbled malachite description

GenusEcchlorolestes (1)

This large damselfly earns its common name for its dark metallic, cryptic colouration (2), which perfectly camouflages it against the mottled, lichen-covered boulders upon which it habitually sits (3). The body is primarily black, but features brown markings along the long, slender abdomen, particularly at the joints between segments, and there is bluish, slate-grey colouring at the tip.


Marbled malachite biology




Marbled malachite range

This South African endemic is known only from protected areas within the Cape Fold Mountains of the Western Cape (4).


Marbled malachite habitat

The marbled malachite is found along clear, shallow streams with an abundance of large, lichen-covered boulders. Two populations exist at high elevation locations over 1,000 metres above sea level, while a third population is at 400 metres above sea level (1).


Marbled malachite status


IUCN Red List species status – Vulnerable


Marbled malachite threats

Being a habitat specialist, this damselfly was probably never particularly widespread or abundant, but early records nevertheless reveal that it was once found at many more localities than it is today. Despite historical declines, however, the current population appears to be stable, both in range and size, and habitat destruction, mostly for plantation forestry, has largely subsided. Even so, the species remains vulnerable to several threats that have the potential to impact dramatically on such small and specialised populations (1). In particular, alien invasive trees, which shade out the habitat, are considered one of the most pervasive and significant threats facing specialised, endemic South African dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) (3). Introduced trout are also present in a number of South African rivers, and pose a serious threat to endemic dragonflies and damselflies through predation (1).


Marbled malachite conservation

Fortunately, the marbled malachite occurs within protected areas. Additionally, a massive national rehabilitation programme (Working with Water Programme) began in 1995 with the aim of eradicating invasive alien plants in South Africa. The programme has been a fantastic success story, with other dragonflies and damselflies (e.g. harlequin sprite Pseudagrion newtoni) that were presumed to be extinct being rediscovered along river stretches where invasive alien trees were removed and the natural vegetation re-established (6). The programme has also greatly benefited the marbled malachite (3), but it is imperative that there is no further encroachment of plantation forestry (1). It is also important that populations are regularly monitored to ensure that they are remaining stable (1). However, for the time being at least, this enigmatic damselfly is thought relatively safe from the threat of extinction.






Cryptic colouration
Colouring that camouflages or disguises a species.
An abrupt physical change from the larval to the adult form.


  1. IUCN Red List (October, 2008)
  2. Inland Invertebrate Initiative: Database of Threatened Invertebrates of South Africa (July, 2006)
  3. Samways, M. (2006) Astonishing Recovery of Rare and threatened Dragonflies. Faculty of AgriSciences Newsletter (University of Stellenbosch), 27: 1 - 2. Available at:
  4. Samways, M. (2006) Pers. comm.

Image credit

Marbled malachite  
Marbled malachite

© Dr Warwick Tarboton

Warwick Tarboton
P.O. Box 327
South Africa


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