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.
Aeshna, or the mosaic darners, is a genus of dragonflies from the family Aeshnidae. Species within this genus are generally known as "hawkers" or "darners".
Libellula is a genus of dragonflies, commonly called skimmers, in the family Libellulidae, distributed throughout the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Most species are found in the United States, where they are the best-known large dragonflies, often seen flying over freshwater ponds in summer. Many have showy wing patterns.
Erythemis is a genus of dragonflies in the Libellulidae family, commonly known as pondhawks. These medium- to large-sized skimmers are voracious predators of other insects up to their own size, including other dragonflies.
Ischnura is a genus of damselflies known as forktails in the family Coenagrionidae. Forktails are distributed worldwide, including various oceanic islands. The males have a forked projection at the tip of the abdomen which gives the group their common name.
Leucorrhinia is a genus of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. They are commonly called whitefaces because of their distinctive pale frons.
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.
Epitheca is a genus of dragonflies in the family Corduliidae. They are commonly known as baskettails.
Pantala is a genus of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae commonly called the rainpool gliders. They are found almost worldwide. Species of Pantala are medium-sized to large, dull orange-yellow dragonflies.
Brechmorhoga is a genus of dragonfly in the Libellulidae family. Members of this genus are commonly called clubskimmers because of the widening abdominal segments much like the clubtails.
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.
Dythemis is a Neotropical genus of dragonflies in the Libellulidae family, commonly known as Setwings.
Cannaphila is a small Neotropical genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. They are commonly called narrow-winged skimmers. One species, C. insularis, occurs in North America. There are three species.
Brachymesia is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. They are commonly known as tropical pennants.
Idiataphe is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. The species are medium-sized, 34–42 millimetres (1.3–1.7 in) long. They occur from northeastern Argentina, through Brazil and the Antilles to Florida.
Tauriphila is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. They are commonly known as Pasture Gliders. The species are neotropical with two, the Garnet and Aztec Gliders reaching the southern USA.
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.
Sympetrum illotum, the cardinal meadowhawk, is a species of skimmer in the dragonfly family Libellulidae. It is found in the Caribbean Sea, Central America, North America, and South America.
Oplonaeschna is a genus of riffle darners in the dragonfly family Aeshnidae. There are about five described species in Oplonaeschna.
Celithemis martha, or Martha's pennant, is a species of skimmer in the dragonfly family Libellulidae. It is found in North America.
