Common Threadtail (Elattoneura glauca)

Cover photos by Alan Manson.

Find the Common Threadtail in the FBIS database (Freshwater Biodiversity Information System) here.

Family Platycnemididae

Identification

Small size

Length up to 39mm; Wingspan attains 46mm

Male Common Threadtails are recognised by their elongate and slender build, grey-blue, black and white colouration, and by their turquoise eyes.

Females are easily confused with those of Elattoneura frenulata (Sooty Threadtail). In areas of overlap the two are best told by their association with the males.

Click here for more details on identification.

Habitat

The Common Threadtail inhabits rank bush and grass alongside rivers and streams. It is usually found among tall grass in shady areas near the water. The Common Threadtail is most often associated with slow-flowing water. Individuals, especially females, can at times be found further from water, in thickets and other rank growth.

Behaviour

The Common Threadtail is sluggish and often reluctant to fly. Females are frequently found alongside the males. The Common Threadtail most often perches low down among grass stems where it remains inconspicuous.

The Common Threadtail is active from September to April, but flies all year round at many sites (See Phenology below).

Status and Conservation

Elattoneura glauca is a common species throughout its range. The Common Threadtail is listed as of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This species is quite resistant to habitat change and frequently makes use of man-made habitats.

Distribution

The Common Threadtail is native to the southern half of the African continent, where it is widespread, avoiding only the driest regions.

Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Common Threadtail in the OdonataMAP database as at February 2020.

Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Common Threadtail in the OdonataMAP database as of December 2024.

The next map below is an imputed map, produced by an interpolation algorithm, which attempts to generate a full distribution map from the partial information in the map above. This map will be improved by the submission of records to the OdonataMAP section of the Virtual Museum.

Ultimately, we will produce a series of maps for all the odonata species in the region. The current algorithm is a new algorithm. The objective is mainly to produce “smoothed” maps that could go into a field guide for odonata. This basic version of the algorithm (as mapped above) does not make use of “explanatory variables” (e.g. altitude, terrain roughness, presence of freshwater — we will be producing maps that take these variables into account soon). Currently, it only makes use of the OdonataMAP records for the species being mapped, as well as all the other records of all other species. The basic maps are “optimistic” and will generally show ranges to be larger than what they probably are.

These maps use the data in the OdonataMAP section of the Virtual Museum, and also the database assembled by the previous JRS funded project, which was led by Professor Michael Samways and Dr KD Dijkstra.

Phenology

Further Resources

The use of photographs by Alan Manson is acknowledged. All other photographs by Ryan Tippett.

Common Threadtail Elattoneura glauca (Selys, 1860)

Other common names: Gewone Draadstertjie (Afrikaans)

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M; Navarro R; Tippett RM; Underhill L. 2025. Common Threadtail Elattoneura glauca. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2020/03/03/common-threadtail-elattoneura-glauca/

References: Tarboton, M; Tarboton, W. (2019). A Guide to the Dragonflies & Damselflies of South Africa. Struik Nature.

Samways, MJ. (2008). Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa. Pensoft

Samways, MJ. (2016). Manual of Freshwater Assessment for South Africa: Dragonfly Biotic Index. Suricata 2. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

Martens, A; Suhling, F. (2007). Dragonflies and Damselflies of Namibia. Gamsberg Macmillan.

Similar Species