| Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila | |
|---|---|
|  | |
| Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila, Cairns, Australia | |
| Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota | 
| Kingdom: | Animalia | 
| Phylum: | Arthropoda | 
| Class: | Insecta | 
| Order: | Odonata | 
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera | 
| Family: | Libellulidae | 
| Genus: | Tetrathemis | 
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | T. i. cladophila | 
| Trinomial name | |
| Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila | |
|  | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| 
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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]
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
.jpg.webp) Female in Cairns Female in Cairns
.jpg.webp) Male in Cairns Male in Cairns
 Female Rainforest elf in Cairns, head on view Female Rainforest elf in Cairns, head on view
 Illustration of Tetrathemis wings Illustration of Tetrathemis wings
.jpg.webp) Photo of female wings Photo of female wings
References
- ↑ 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.
- 1 2 "Australian Faunal Directory". Retrieved 9 March 2017.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Atlas of Living Australia". Retrieved 9 March 2017.
- ↑ "Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila". Retrieved 9 March 2017.
 Media related to Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila at Wikimedia Commons
 Media related to Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila at Wikimedia Commons