How to Identify Libellulidae

Libellulidae is a animal family in the Animalia kingdom, order Odonata, class Insecta. The family contains 397 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

For instant identification in the field, use the iNature app — AI-powered, works offline.

Representative Libellulidae Species

How to identify Diplacodes melanopsis (Martin, 1901)

Diplacodes melanopsis (Martin, 1901)

Diplacodes melanopsis (Martin, 1901)

Diplacodes melanopsis, the black-faced percher, is a small dragonfly native to m…

How to identify Urothemis edwardsii (Selys, 1849)

Urothemis edwardsii (Selys, 1849)

Urothemis edwardsii (Selys, 1849)

The blue basker (Urothemis edwardsii) is a Libellulidae dragonfly found across m…

How to identify Plathemis subornata Hagen, 1861

Plathemis subornata Hagen, 1861

Plathemis subornata Hagen, 1861

Plathemis subornata, the desert whitetail, is a species of Libellulidae dragonfl…

How to identify Acisoma trifidum Kirby, 1889

Acisoma trifidum Kirby, 1889

Acisoma trifidum Kirby, 1889

Ivory pintail (Acisoma trifidum) is a widespread African Libellulidae dragonfly …

How to identify Aethriamanta nymphaeae Lieftinck, 1949

Aethriamanta nymphaeae Lieftinck, 1949

Aethriamanta nymphaeae Lieftinck, 1949

Aethriamanta nymphaeae, the L-spot basker, is a dragonfly often hard to distingu…

How to identify Orthetrum trinacria (Selys, 1841)

Orthetrum trinacria (Selys, 1841)

Orthetrum trinacria (Selys, 1841)

Orthetrum trinacria, the Long Skimmer, is a Libellulidae dragonfly found across …

How to identify Brachymesia gravida (Calvert, 1890)

Brachymesia gravida (Calvert, 1890)

Brachymesia gravida (Calvert, 1890)

The four-spotted pennant (Brachymesia gravida) is a North American skimmer drago…

How to identify Tramea stenoloba (Watson, 1962)

Tramea stenoloba (Watson, 1962)

Tramea stenoloba (Watson, 1962)

Tramea stenoloba is a medium-to-large Australian dragonfly widespread across mos…

How to identify Diplacodes haematodes (Burmeister, 1839)

Diplacodes haematodes (Burmeister, 1839)

Diplacodes haematodes (Burmeister, 1839)

Diplacodes haematodes (scarlet percher) is a small colourful dragonfly of the fa…

How to identify Crocothemis sanguinolenta (Burmeister, 1839)

Crocothemis sanguinolenta (Burmeister, 1839)

Crocothemis sanguinolenta (Burmeister, 1839)

Crocothemis sanguinolenta is a Libellulidae dragonfly with common names includin…

How to identify Rhyothemis regia (Brauer, 1867)

Rhyothemis regia (Brauer, 1867)

Rhyothemis regia (Brauer, 1867)

Rhyothemis regia, the pied sapphire flutterer, is a dragonfly species found on I…

How to identify Trithemis donaldsoni (Calvert, 1899)

Trithemis donaldsoni (Calvert, 1899)

Trithemis donaldsoni (Calvert, 1899)

Trithemis donaldsoni, the denim dropwing, is a libellulid dragonfly found across…

Browse all 397 Libellulidae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Libellulidae?

Libellulidae animals belong to the Odonata order in the Animalia kingdom. Tramea stenoloba is very similar in appearance to Tramea loewii, and the two species can be distinguished by differences in synthorax coloration and genital dimensions. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Libellulidae?

Libellulidae is classified in the order Odonata, class Insecta, phylum Arthropoda. The family contains 397 accepted species worldwide.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

Start Exploring Nature Today

Download iNature for free. 10 identifications on us. No account needed. No credit card required.

Download Free on App Store