The beautiful demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) is a species of damselfly belonging to the family Calopterygidae. The species has been found in Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, though some authors only accept three subspecies. The subspecies intergrade where their ranges meet. not accepted by Smallshire et al. with a hindwing length of . These large, dark damselflies have small, lateral, hemispherical eyes; two pairs of wings similar in shape; and a slender abdomen. The wings have a dense internal network of veins, and can be transparent or uniformly coloured at their basal area. This species shows marked sexual dimorphism in colour pattern.
Distribution
Beautiful demoiselle is distributed across all of Europe with the exception of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands, Sardinia, Sicily, and Iceland. The beautiful demoiselle is mostly found in lowland locations. Regular findings come from areas up to a maximum height of 980 m above sea level; occasionally, they may be found up to 1,200 metres in altitude, such as in the Alps.
A related insect found in Japan formerly treated as another subspecies C. v. japonica, is now accepted as a separate species Calopteryx japonica.
Habitat
Biotope
thumb|240px|right|Biotope of Calopteryx virgo
Beautiful demoiselles live mainly near small to medium-sized streams and creeks.