What is Yeebury's Elf dragonfly?

Yeebury's Elf (Tetrathemis yerburii) is one of the smallest dragonflies in Sri Lanka, measuring roughly 2.5 centimetres in body length. It is found in the lowland wet zone, particularly around small, shaded forest pools beneath closed-canopy rainforest.

Where can I find Yeebury's Elf in Sri Lanka?

This species is associated with the wet zone of southwestern Sri Lanka. Sinharaja Forest Reserve and the Makandawa Rainforest near Kithulgala are among the most suitable locations. It also appears around water wells, fern-covered ponds, and densely planted home gardens with shaded still water.

How does Yeebury's Elf lay its eggs?

Unlike most dragonflies, the female Yeebury's Elf attaches her eggs to vegetation — a leaf or stem — positioned above the pool rather than directly in the water. When the eggs hatch, the larvae fall into the pool below to begin their aquatic development.

Is Yeebury's Elf endemic to Sri Lanka?

Yeebury's Elf has a distribution centred on Sri Lanka and the adjacent Western Ghats region of South India. It is closely associated with the island's wet-zone forests and is considered a characteristic species of that ecosystem.

What time of year is best for spotting dragonflies in Sri Lanka's rainforests?

Dragonfly activity in Sri Lanka's wet zone is generally highest during and just after the southwest monsoon, roughly May to July, when pools are full and breeding is underway. Adults of many species, including Yeebury's Elf, can be found in suitable habitat throughout much of the year.

Why does Yeebury's Elf prefer shaded forest pools?

Closed-canopy forest pools offer stable temperatures, low disturbance, and specific vegetation that supports the species' unusual egg-laying behaviour. The shade also limits the growth of aggressive aquatic plants that might alter pool conditions unsuitable for larval development.

Is Yeebury's Elf threatened or endangered?

The species is vulnerable to habitat loss through forest clearance and the drainage of small pools in the wet zone. While not universally classified under a single global threat category, it is considered an indicator of healthy lowland rainforest ecosystems, meaning its presence signals a well-preserved environment.

Yeebury's Elf — Lakpura®

Yerbury’s Elf is one of the smallest dragonflies in Sri Lanka, with a body length of about an inch. It is commonly associated with small pools in close-canopy rainforests of the wet zone.

Habitat: Males are often found in these forested pools, while the species also inhabits water wells, ponds covered in ferns, and well-vegetated home gardens with suitable stagnant water sources.

Breeding Behavior: This species exhibits a unique reproductive strategy. Unlike other Sri Lankan dragonflies, the female attaches eggs to a leaf, stem, or vegetation above a pool, where they remain exposed until hatching.

Development: Once the eggs hatch, the larvae drop into the pool below to continue their development, making this dragonfly’s breeding behavior distinct among its counterparts.