Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila
{{Short description|Subspecies of dragonfly}}
{{Subspeciesbox
|image = Rainforest Elf 06090317.jpg
|image_caption = Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila, Cairns, Australia
|genus = Tetrathemis
|species = irregularis
|subspecies = cladophila
|authority = (Tillyard, 1908){{Cite journal|last=Tillyard|first=R.J.|date=1908|title=On some remarkable Australian Libellulinae. Part ii. Descriptions of new species|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/39830901|journal=Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales|volume=33|pages=637–649 [647]|via=Biodiversity Heritage Library}}
|range_map = Tetrathemis irregularis distribution map AU.svg
|synonyms =
{{Species list
|Tetrathemis cladophila|Tillyard, 1908
}}
}}
Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila, known as the rainforest elf, is a subspecies of Tetrathemis irregularis, a dragonfly in the family Libellulidae found only in Australia.{{cite web|url=https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/Tetrathemis_irregularis_cladophila|title=Australian Faunal Directory|access-date=9 March 2017}}
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.{{cite book |title=The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia |last=Theischinger |first=G |last2=Hawking |first2=J |year=2006 |publisher=CSIRO Publishing |location=Collingwood Vic. |isbn=978 0 64309 073 6 |page=258}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://biocache.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?q=Tetrathemis%20irregularis%20cladophila#tab_mapView|title=Atlas of Living Australia|access-date=9 March 2017}} The taxon has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List, but it appears in the Catalogue of Life.{{cite web|url=http://www.catalogueoflife.org/col/browse/tree/id/4f34d6e3b3edf5831604da1f4e9369ed|title=Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila|access-date=9 March 2017}}
Habitat
Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila inhabits streams in rainforest.
Gallery
Rainforest Elf 3530 (female).jpg|Female in Cairns
Rainforest Elf 3525 (male).jpg|Male in Cairns
Rainforest Elf 01090317.jpg|Female Rainforest elf in Cairns, head on view
Tetrathemis irregularis 0317.svg|Illustration of Tetrathemis wings
Tetrathemis irregularis female wings (34675519190).jpg|Photo of female wings
References
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q29887691}}