The skimmers or perchers and their relatives form the Libellulidae, the largest dragonfly family in the world. It is sometimes considered to contain the Corduliidae as the subfamily Corduliinae and the Macromiidae as the subfamily Macromiinae. Even if these are excluded, there still remains a family of over 1000 species. With nearly worldwide distribution, these are almost certainly the most often seen of all dragonflies.
Diplacodes is a genus of dragonflies in the Libellulidae family. They are commonly known as perchers. Their colours range from the totally black body of the African Diplacodes lefebvrii, the lovely pale blue of India's Diplacodes trivialis, to the intense red of the Asian–Australian Diplacodes haematodes.
Crocothemis is a genus of dragonflies in the Libellulidae family, subfamily Sympetrinae (darters). Various species of this genus occur in southern Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Southwest Pacific. They are generally small to medium-sized dragonflies.
Brachydiplax denticauda is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae known commonly as the palemouth. It is native to Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It lives in habitat with still and slow-moving waters.
Tetrathemis is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. Species of Tetrathemis are found in Africa, Madagascar, Asia, New Guinea and Australia.
Tramea is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae, the skimmers and perchers. Species of Tramea are found in tropical and subtropical regions around the globe. They typically have colored bases to their otherwise translucent hindwings. In particular when they fly, this creates the impression of their carrying bags at the start of their abdomens. They are known commonly as saddlebags or saddlebags gliders.
Urothemis is a genus of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. Species of Urothemis can be medium-sized dragonflies which occur from Africa, across Asia to Indonesia and Australia.
Neurothemis is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. They are found in India, Asia, Australia and the Pacific region. Most Neurothemis species are red in color.
Agrionoptera is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. Species of Agrionoptera are found across India, Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Macrodiplax is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. It is found across the tropics and subtropics, however it is not found in Africa.
Macrodiplax cora, the coastal glider, also known as wandering pennant, and Cora’s pennant, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae.
Camacinia is a small genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. Species of Camacinia are found from South-east Asia to the Solomon Islands, Australia and New Guinea. There are three species.
Nannodiplax rubra, commonly called the pygmy percher, is a species of dragonfly in the monotypic genus Nannodiplax. Its distribution seems to be limited to Australia and New Guinea. They are tiny dragonflies with a bright red abdomen and clear wings. They are found near a wide variety of rivers and streams. The Australian distribution ranges from Broome, Western Australia via the north and east to around Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. The taxon has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List, but it is listed in the Catalogue of Life.
Nannodiplax is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. There is only one known species of this genus which occurs in New Guinea and Australia.
Hydrobasileus is a small genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae, found in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia.
Brachydiplax duivenbodei is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is known by the common name darkmouth. It is native to Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, and Queensland in Australia.
Brachydiplax chalybea is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is known by the common names yellow-patched lieutenant, rufous-backed marsh hawk, and blue dasher. It is native to much of eastern Asia, from India to Japan to Indonesia.
Tetrathemis irregularis is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae, known as the rainforest elf. It is a tiny to small, slender dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It inhabits rainforest streams in north-eastern Australia and Southeast Asia, including the Aru Islands.
