''Crocothemis'' is a
genus of
dragonflies in the
Libellulidae
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. Ev ...
family,
subfamily Sympetrinae (darters). Various species of this genus occur in
southern Europe,
Africa,
Asia,
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
and the Southwest Pacific. They are generally small to medium-sized dragonflies.
These dragonflies are often noticed due to their colours. Males are generally very brightly coloured, ranging from totally red in several species, to the rich blue of Australia's ''
C. nigrifrons''. As with many Libellulid species, the females tend to be dull brown or orange.
Like most libellulids they tend to perch on sticks, reeds or stones near water, flying out to catch insects then returning to their perch.
Species
The genus contains the following species:
References
External links
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{{Taxonbar, from=Q137359
Libellulidae
Anisoptera genera
Odonata of Africa
Odonata of Asia
Odonata of Oceania
Odonata of Australia
Taxa named by Friedrich Moritz Brauer