Orthetrum is a large genus of dragonflies in the Libellulidae family.

The size of adults within the genus ranges from small to large; in Africa, the hindwing ranges in length from 22 to 50 mm.

The bodies of adult females and recently emerged males are yellow to brown with black markings; these may facilitate identification of individuals to species level.

Mature males, however, develop blue-grey pruinosity over most of their bodies - this makes species identification difficult without the capture of a specimen and inspection of the shape of the hamule.

[3] The genus Orthetrum includes the following species:[4] [9] Media related to Orthetrum at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Orthetrum at Wikispecies