Lestes viridis (Vander Linden, 1825)

This species has a bright metallic green body and can be separated from other species of the same genus by its big size (39-48 mm), the lack of blue pruinosity and the pale brown pterostigma. Furthermore, males feature pale appendages with tips, external borders and basal parts blackened and provided of a raised, towards-the-inside protruding lamina. Females have 10-14 teeth on the ventral edge of the ovipositor valves.

In flight from June to the end of November.

It can be found on ponds, lakes and river banks, where the water flows more slowly, resting on the small branches stretching out from the water. Under the bark of these branches the females lie the eggs, creating specific “cecidia”.

This species is widespread in western Europe, but is absent in Great Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia. In the Cuneo region it is widespread in plain and hills areas with suitable habitats. An exception is the station of Alto village, where a small population lives at 1010 meters above sea level.