Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila

Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila known as the rainforest elf is a subspecies of Tetrathemis irregularis, a dragonfly in the family Libellulidae found only in Australia.[2]

Rainforest elf
Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila, Cairns, Australia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Tetrathemis
Species:
T. irregularis
Subspecies:
T. i. cladophila
Trinomial name
Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila
(Tillyard, 1908)[1]
Synonyms[2]
  • Tetrathemis cladophila Tillyard, 1908

Description

It is a tiny to small, black and yellow dragonfly with a length of 25-30mm and wingspan of 40-50mm. The mostly clear wings are suffused with pale lemon. The abdomen is black with 3 to 4 yellow markings, and there is a metallic sheen on the synthorax.[3]

Distribution

The genus Tetrathemis extends from Africa and Madagascar to south-east Asia, New Guinea and Australia. Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila has only been recorded coastal and adjacent inland from Cape York Peninsula to Cardwell in Queensland.[4] The taxon has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List, but it appears in the Catalogue of Life.[5]

Habitat

Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila inhabits streams in rainforest.

  • Female in Cairns
  • Male in Cairns
  • Female Rainforest elf in Cairns, head on view
  • Illustration of Tetrathemis wings
  • Photo of female wings

References
  1. Tillyard, R.J. (1908). "On some remarkable Australian Libellulinae. Part ii. Descriptions of new species". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 33: 637–649 [647] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  2. "Australian Faunal Directory". Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  3. Theischinger, G; Hawking, J (2006). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood Vic.: CSIRO Publishing. p. 258. ISBN 978 0 64309 073 6.
  4. "Atlas of Living Australia". Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  5. "Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila". Retrieved 9 March 2017.

Media related to Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila at Wikimedia Commons

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