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.
Zyxomma is a genus of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. Species of Zyxomma are small to medium-sized, dully coloured, crepuscular insects. They are known as Duskdarters. Members of Zyxomma are found in India, Japan, Africa and Australia.
Orthetrum is a large genus of dragonflies in the Libellulidae family. They are commonly referred to as skimmers.
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.
Acisoma is a small genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. It contains six species:
Aethriamanta is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. Species of Aethriamanta are found in Madagascar, through Southeast Asia, Indonesia, New Guinea and northern Australia.
Bradinopyga is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. It contains the following species:
Gynacantha is a genus of dragonflies in the family Aeshnidae. The females have two prominent spines under the last abdominal segment. This gives the genus name and the common name two-spined darners; they are also known as duskhawkers.
Hemicordulia is a genus of dragonfly in family Corduliidae. It occurs in Africa, southern Asia, Australasia and Pacific Islands such as the Bonin Islands, Fiji and French Polynesia. Species of Hemicordulia are small to medium-sized dragonflies, coloured black or metallic, with yellow.
Ictinogomphus is a genus of dragonflies in either the family Gomphidae or Lindeniidae. They are medium to large, yellow and black with clear wings. Species occur in Africa, Asia and Australia.
Palpopleura is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. Five species are native to sub-Saharan Africa, one ranges widely in southern Asia, and one is a widespread endemic to Madagascar.
Paragomphus is a genus of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. They are commonly known as Hooktails.
Phyllomacromia a large genus of dragonflies in the family Macromiidae. They are commonly known as cruisers.
Rhyothemis is a genus of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. They are commonly known as Flutterers. Rhyothemis species are found in Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific region.
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.
Trithemis is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. They are commonly known as dropwings. There are over 40 species, mainly from Africa; two are endemic to Madagascar, and five are endemic to Asia. They are found in a wide variety of habitats; some species being adapted to permanent streams in forests, and others being capable of breeding in temporary pools in deserts.
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.
Zygonyx is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. They are commonly known as cascaders because of their preference for living beside waterfalls and flying through the spray. They lay their eggs into the wet dangling roots of plants.
Anax is a genus of dragonflies in the family Aeshnidae. It includes species likesuch as the emperor dragonfly, Anax imperator.
Diplacodes trivialis is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae known as the chalky percher or ground skimmer. It is found in China, Japan, India and southwards to New Guinea and Australia.
male H. affine, Madagascar
male H. affine, Madagascar
