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]

Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila
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.

Gallery

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