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IUCN status: Least ConcernSlender Skimmer at a glance
The Slender Skimmer (Orthetrum sabina) is an invertebrate in the family Libellulidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from West Java, Bali, Yogyakarta. Diet: predator of flying insects, including other dragonflies; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.
| Scientific name | Orthetrum sabina |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Capung-Sambar Hijau |
| Group | Invertebrates |
| Family | Libellulidae |
| Observation records | West Java, Bali, Yogyakarta |
| Taxonomic group | Odonata |
| GBIF records | 2,570 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — predator of flying insects, including other dragonflies · Journal of Threatened Taxa |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · Australian Museum |
| Venom or poison | Not venomous · British Dragonfly Society: Frequently Asked Questions (Do Dragonflies Bite or Sting?) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · Putri, Wimbaningrum & Setiawan 2019, Keanekaragaman jenis capung anggota ordo Odonata di area persawahan Kecamatan Sumbersari Kabupaten Jember, Bioma 8(1) (Universitas PGRI Semarang) |
In this guide (12)
What is the Slender Skimmer?
Slender Skimmer refers to Orthetrum sabina, in the genus Orthetrum, family Libellulidae, and order Odonata. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.
What is known about the Slender Skimmer?
The slender skimmer ranges widely from Asia to Australia; its green-and-black pattern and perching behaviour aid recognition.
Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.
Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗
How many Indonesian records name the Slender Skimmer?
When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 2,570 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.
Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
Where were observations reported?
Place labels appearing in the results include West Java, Bali, Yogyakarta. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.
Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
How can you observe the Slender Skimmer?
Record body or wing pattern, age and sex differences, and the plant or water body where the animal was seen. Leave nests and immature stages intact; one image may not support a certain identification. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.
Explore related animals
To explore this group further, compare Slender Skimmer with Straight-edge Red Parasol, Red Percher, Chalky Percher. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.
Scientific classification of the Slender Skimmer
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Odonata |
| Family | Libellulidae |
| Genus | Orthetrum |
| Species | Orthetrum sabina |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the Slender Skimmer
What is the scientific name of the Slender Skimmer?
The scientific name of the Slender Skimmer is Orthetrum sabina, in the family Libellulidae and the order Odonata. In Indonesian it is called Capung-Sambar Hijau.
What kind of animal is the Slender Skimmer?
The Slender Skimmer is an invertebrate in the family Libellulidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a predator of flying insects, including other dragonflies.
Where does the Slender Skimmer live in Indonesia?
Observation records of the Slender Skimmer summarised in this guide mainly come from West Java, Bali, Yogyakarta. That list is not a complete range map.
What does the Slender Skimmer eat?
The Slender Skimmer is a predator of flying insects, including other dragonflies. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: Journal of Threatened Taxa.
How does the Slender Skimmer reproduce?
The Slender Skimmer reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Australian Museum.
Is the Slender Skimmer venomous?
No. The Slender Skimmer is not venomous. Dragonflies do not sting; the tip of the abdomen is an egg-laying tube, not a stinger. Source: British Dragonfly Society: Frequently Asked Questions (Do Dragonflies Bite or Sting?).
Do not catch, handle or disturb wild animals. If bitten, stung or exposed to its toxins, go to the nearest health facility straight away.
Is the Slender Skimmer nocturnal?
The cited source records the Slender Skimmer as diurnal (active by day). Source: Putri, Wimbaningrum & Setiawan 2019, Keanekaragaman jenis capung anggota ordo Odonata di area persawahan Kecamatan Sumbersari Kabupaten Jember, Bioma 8(1) (Universitas PGRI Semarang).
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What is the scientific classification of the Slender Skimmer?
Scientific classification of the Slender Skimmer: kingdom Animalia, phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, order Odonata, family Libellulidae, genus Orthetrum, species Orthetrum sabina.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the Slender Skimmer endangered?
No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Slender Skimmer is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Slender Skimmer is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).
Sources & references
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
- GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
- iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
- Species account — background reading ↗
- Journal of Threatened Taxa ↗
- Australian Museum ↗
- Putri, Wimbaningrum & Setiawan 2019, Keanekaragaman jenis capung anggota ordo Odonata di area persawahan Kecamatan Sumbersari Kabupaten Jember, Bioma 8(1) (Universitas PGRI Semarang) ↗
- British Dragonfly Society: Frequently Asked Questions (Do Dragonflies Bite or Sting?) ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Slender Skimmer (Orthetrum sabina). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/orthetrum-sabina/