Rhyothemis princeps

{{Short description|Species of dragonfly}}

{{Speciesbox

|image=Rhyothemis princeps 3024.jpg

|image_caption=Female

|image2=Rhyothemis princeps - Sapphire Flutterer 2.jpg

|image2_caption=Male

|status=LC

|status_system=IUCN3.1

|status_ref={{cite iucn |author=Dow, R.A. |date=2017 |title=Rhyothemis princeps |volume=2017 |page=e.T163880A87529355 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T163880A87529355.en |access-date=20 November 2021}}

|taxon=Rhyothemis princeps

|authority=Kirby, 1894{{Cite journal|last=Kirby|first=W.F.|year=1894|title=On a small collection of Odonata (dragonflies) from Queensland, with descriptions of five new species|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/24343241|journal=Annals and Magazine of Natural History|series=6|volume=14|pages=15–21 [16]|via=Biodiversity Heritage Library|doi=10.1080/00222939408677758}}

|range_map=Rhyothemis princeps distribution map.svg

}}

Rhyothemis princeps, known as the sapphire flutterer, is a species of dragonfly of the family Libellulidae.{{Cite web|url=https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/Rhyothemis_princeps;Rhyothemis|title=Species Rhyothemis princeps Kirby, 1894|last=|first=|date=2012|website=Australian Faunal Directory|publisher=Australian Biological Resources Study|access-date=26 February 2017}}{{World Odonata List}}

The flight of the genus Rhyothemis is usually fluttering, leading to the common description of "flutterer" for most species in the genus.

Rhyothemis princeps is found in Australia and New Guinea only. It is a medium-sized dragonfly (wingspan 70mm, length 40mm) that inhabits a variety of freshwater lakes, ponds, and swamps. It has a dark blue to black abdomen, and its wings are dark, with two or three pale patches on the outer section. Males have dark patches extending to their wingtips, whereas females have clear wingtips. In sunlight the dark colours can reflect a metallic purplish tinge. In Australia its range is limited to north-eastern Queensland from Cape York Peninsula to around Rockhampton.{{cite book |last1=Theischinger |first1=Gunther |last2=Hawking |first2=John |date=2006 |title=The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia |location=Collingwood Vic. |publisher=CSIRO |page=286 |isbn=0643090738}}

Rhyothemis princeps - Sapphire Flutterer 1.jpg|Male side view

Sapphire Flutterer (Rhyothemis princeps) (29564129526).jpg|Male viewed from above

Sapphire flutterer (Rhyothemis princeps) male Cattana.jpg|Male, Cattana Wetlands

Rhyothemis princeps female wings (34252012483).jpg|Female wings

Rhyothemis princeps male wings (34252015673).jpg|Male wings