In the field it is not possible to reliably distinguish C. viridis from C. parvidens.
Both species are mainly metallic green, like other Lestes damselflies, but larger and darker but they do not have a powder blue pruinescence which is common in other Lestes.
The pterostigma is pale brown and outlined in black.
The thorax has thin yellow antehumerals and broader yellow stripe above a thin black line on each side; the upper edge of the stripe is irregular.
Both C. viridis and C. parvidens have a prominent spur-like marking on the side of the thorax.

Male - The abdomen is very long.
The lower anal appendages are less than half the length of the upper which are a distinctive pale yellow with black tips.

Female - The ovipositor is longer than in Lestes dryas.
In the field it is not possible to reliably distinguish C. viridis from C. parvidens. Both species are mainly metallic green, like other Lestes damselflies, but larger and darker but they do not have a powder blue pruinescence which is common in other Lestes. The pterostigma is pale brown and outlined in black. The thorax has thin yellow antehumerals and broader yellow stripe above a thin black line on each side; the upper edge of the stripe is irregular. Both C. viridis and C. parvidens have a prominent spur-like marking on the side of the thorax.
Male - The abdomen is very long. The lower anal appendages are less than half the length of the upper which are a distinctive pale yellow with black tips.
Female - The ovipositor is longer than in Lestes dryas.
Chalcolestes viridis