Cratilla metallica occurs in forest, mainly primary dipterocarp, from lowlands up to 900 m, and breeds in small shallow pools which it frequently shares with Indaeschna grubaueri, Males sometimes perch for long periods above such pools awaiting females. Both sexes are immediately recognized by their relatively large size (hw, 34-39 mm), heavy build and dark tips to the wings. The larvae of Cratilla metallica are rather elongate for a libellulid. They are very aggressive and take quite large prey including tadpoles. They will sometimes survive in large buttress pans, generally following disturbance of the deep humus layer, in which case they exclude Lyriothemis cleis and other species.

Cratilla metallica  is bigger and stronger in build. And is brighter color then Cratilla lineata

Male  hw 36-38 mm. Recognized by dark wing-tips, slate blue on ab S3-4, and metallic green thorax. Female hw 38 mm; ab + apps 29.5 mm; wings similar to S; lacks ab blue; three yellow lines laterally on synthorax; ab relatively much longer than Agrionoptera sexlineata $. Closed forests, 0-900 m. Breeds in shallow forest pools and sometimes large phytotelmata. Widespread in tropical Asia.