The southern skimmer is a medium-sized dragonfly, found across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Adults are 41 to 49 mm long. Their wingspan can reach 66 to 70 millimeters. They are frequently spotted near sunny, shallow streams and bare-ground habitats.
Adult males have sky-blue bodies with pale blue faces. Adult females are yellowish-brown with a broad, flat belly. They have a thin black line down the middle and clear glass-like wings with small, light brown spots (pterostigma) near the tips.
The southern skimmer is an agile and skilled hunter. It preys on a variety of small insects, including mosquitoes, flies, and other dragonflies. Due to their excellent vision and rapid flight technique, they catch their prey mid-air.