×
BugFinder Insects by State Spiders Butterflies & Moths Bees, Ants, & Wasps Beetles All Bugs Videos (YouTube)

Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Wandering Glider


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/2
Image Credit: Alex -icycatelf- Bowen
Full-sized image of the Wandering-Glider-Dragonfly Thumbnail image of the Wandering-Glider-Dragonfly
2/2
Image Credit: Barry M., taken in Lowndes County, GA
Full-sized image #2 of the Wandering-Glider-Dragonfly Thumbnail image #2 of the Wandering-Glider-Dragonfly

The hardy Wandering Glider is found on almost every continent on Earth, weathering all sorts of storms and covering long distances in flight.



Updated: 06/19/2023; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
Wind is a good friend to the Wandering Glider. This dragonfly uses air currents to do most of the aerial work for it and can stay in the air for hours before resting. When they do land, one can see their markings and coloring for a clear identification. The abdomen is yellow, though in males it may be more orange-red. Fine black lines cross the abdomen and a black line down the dorsal side ('spine') swells a bit in each segment. Clear wings each have one yellow-brown cell at the upper edge, resembling a tiny fragment of stained glass. Adults can fly in swarms with other adults, and even among other dragonfly species, as they feed on flying insects.

Mating is done while in flight. Females lay fertilized eggs in ponds, temporary puddles left by rain (hence the alternative name of Rainpool Glider), and swimming pools. Reflective surfaces like car hoods and wet asphalt are mistaken for water and females have been seen trying to lay eggs on them. Naiads (juveniles) spend this early life stage in the water feeding on aquatic insects and plankton. They crawl onto land when ready to molt into winged adults. They can survive dry spells on land, further attesting to this species' resilience.

Look for adults flying a few meters above ponds at the banks of other bodies of water. They also rest on low-growing plants and reeds with a vertical abdomen and wings spread open. They migrate to warmer regions when weather cools and are active year-round in the tropics. ©InsectIdentification.org


Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.


General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Flying insect icon
Striped or banded insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Odonata
        Family: Libellulidae
View More
          Genus: Pantala
View More
            Species: flavescens

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Pantala flavescens
Other Name(s): Globe Skimmer, Globe Wanderer, Golden Glider, Rainpool Glider
Category: Dragonfly or Damselfly
Size (Adult; Length): 44mm to 51mm (1.73" to 2.00")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: yellow; orange; red; black
Descriptors: lines; yellow; flying


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 44mm (1.7in) and 51mm (2.0in)
Lo: 44mm
Md: 47.5mm
Hi: 51mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
State of Alabama graphic
State of Arizona graphic
State of Arkansas graphic
State of California graphic
State of Colorado graphic
State of Delware graphic
State of Florida graphic
State of Georgia graphic
State of Idaho graphic
State of Illinois graphic
State of Indiana graphic
State of Iowa graphic
State of Kansas graphic
State of Kentucky graphic
State of Louisiana graphic
State of Maine graphic
State of Maryland graphic
State of Michigan graphic
State of Minnesota graphic
State of Mississippi graphic
State of Missouri graphic
State of Montana graphic
State of Nebraska graphic
State of Nevada graphic
State of New England graphic
State of New Jersey graphic
State of New Mexico graphic
State of New York graphic
State of North Carolina graphic
State of North Dakota graphic
State of Ohio graphic
State of Oklahoma graphic
State of Oregon graphic
State of Pennsylvania graphic
State of South Carolina graphic
State of South Dakota graphic
State of Tennessee graphic
State of Texas graphic
State of Utah graphic
State of Virginia graphic
State of Washington graphic
State of West Virginia graphic
State of Wisconsin graphic
State of Wyoming graphic
Canadian territory of Alberta graphic
Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic
Canadian territory of Manitoba graphic
Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic
Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
Canadian territory of Ontario graphic
Canadian territory of Quebec graphic
Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Wandering Glider may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Wandering Glider. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Site Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookies  |  Sitemap
Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede JoroSpider.org

2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2024 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

©2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2024 (18yrs)