Elattoneura, the African threadtails, is a genus of damselflies in the family Platycnemididae.[1] They were formerly placed in genus Prodasineura,[2] but form a distinct clade. The adults are smallish and delicately built damselflies, and their males have very wide heads (cf. Platycnemis and Copera).[2] The adults are typically found in sheltered locations beside or over running water, though a few prefer calmer water with much detritus. There appears to be two groups with differing habitat preferences. Those with pruinose (i.e. frosty grey or white) faces and mostly blue eyes occupy watercourses in open terrain, while those with black or brightly coloured faces are found along forested streams.[2]
There are over 30 species which include:[3]