Synlestes

{{Short description|Genus of damselflies}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| image = Synlestes weyersii female rump (15801845663).jpg

| image_caption = Female Synlestes weyersii

| taxon = Synlestes

| authority = Selys, 1869{{Cite journal|last=Selys-Longchamps|first=E.|year=1869|title=Les névroptères de Port Denison. in, Comptes-rendus des séances de la société entomologique de Belgique : Assemblée mensuelle du 4 avril 1868|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/12563835|journal=Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique (Comptes-rendus)|language=fr|volume=11|pages=lxxiv-lxxviii [lxxvi]|via=Biodiversity Heritage Library}}

| range_map = Synlestes distribution map.svg

| range_map_alt = Map showing distribution of Synlestes in eastern Australia

}}

Synlestes is a genus of damselflies in the family Synlestidae.{{Cite web|url=https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/Synlestes|title=Genus Synlestes Selys, 1869|date=2012|website=Australian Faunal Directory|publisher=Australian Biological Resources Study|access-date=5 April 2017}}

Species of Synlestes are very large damselflies, metallic green to dark bronze or black in colour with white, yellow or orange markings.{{Cite book|title=The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia|last1=Theischinger|first1=Günther|last2=Hawking|first2=John|publisher=CSIRO Publishing|year=2006|isbn=978-0-64309-073-6|location=Collingwood, Victoria, Australia|pages=24}}

Unlike many other damselflies, they spread their wings when resting. They are endemic to eastern Australia where they inhabit streams.{{Cite book|title=The Australian Dragonflies: A Guide to the Identification, Distributions and Habitats of Australian Odonata|last1=Watson|first1=J.A.L.|last2=Theischinger|first2=G.|last3=Abbey|first3=H.M.|publisher=CSIRO|year=1991|isbn=0643051368|location=Melbourne}}