Willow Emerald Damselfly
Chalcolestes viridis
This damselfly is found throughout Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, with a widespread distribution across mainland Portugal. It inhabits shady places where the branches of trees and shrubs droop over the water, such as riparian forests and lakeshores (Maravalhas & Soares, 2013). Breeding has been confirmed in one of the small round ponds on the western side of the Gulbenkian Garden.
Text: Eva Monteiro, Albano Soares, Renata Santos, Rui Félix, Cândida Ramos, Ricardo Ramirez and Patrícia Garcia-Pereira