English name:  Red Chaser

Like all members of the skimmer family, the male of the beautiful skimmer also tends to stand in a conspicuous place for long hours, usually at the same lookout point, to which he will return even if disturbed. While standing there, he waits for a female to pass through his territory.

Size:  Medium (3-5 cm).Habitat:  Standing or slow-moving water with many aquatic plants.Distribution: From Israel and Jordan north and east to Armenia, Iran, and Kyrgyzstan.Season:  May - mid-July (according to data from Turkey).

In Israel, it maintains small populations in the Hula Valley area

Identification marks:Its entire body is red. A black stripe runs along the abdomen and widens toward the tip. Black pterostigma. At the base of the wings there is a small brown-black spot.

The young are similar but yellow. The sexes are similar.

Similar species:Species of the genera Crocothemis, Sympetrum, and Libellula are red, so they are easy to confuse.

Beautiful Skimmer Libellula Pontica, adult     © רע שיש

Beautiful Skimmer Libellula Pontica, young     © דוד קוטר