Libellula flavida

Libellula flavida, commonly called the yellow-sided skimmer, is a medium-sized dragonfly characterized by yellowish coloration along the sides of its abdomen, which gives the species its common name. Like other members of the genus Libellula, it belongs to the skimmer family Libellulidae, the largest family of dragonflies in North America.

Libellula flavida is found in the southeastern United States, with its range concentrated in the coastal plain regions of states along the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. It inhabits ponds, marshes, and slow-moving waters where males establish territories and patrol for mates.

The species was described by the French entomologist Jules Pierre Rambur in 1842 as part of his comprehensive work on the neuropteroid insects of Europe and surrounding regions. Rambur was one of the leading odonate taxonomists of the 19th century, and his descriptions remain foundational to dragonfly classification.

Libellula flavida is not currently listed as endangered or threatened, though it is considered locally uncommon throughout parts of its limited southeastern range. Like all dragonflies, its populations depend on the preservation of clean wetland habitats, and degradation of coastal plain ponds and marshes could impact local occurrences.