Globe Skimmer

Pantala flavescens

Description:

This species and Pantala hymenaea, the "Spot-winged Glider", are the only members of the genus Pantala from the subfamily Pantalinae. It is considered to be the most widespread dragonfly on the planet.

Habitat:

Puddles in an almost dry river bed. (Hyena pool and on the way to waterfall caves, Mlawula Nature reserve)

Notes:

I saw them in two different locations, and they were quite big in numbers (I saw around 20 of them in the same day). They were also mating. When they were alone, they flew from puddle to puddle and hovered over the area for a few seconds. The mating procedure was conducted in the air, flying attatched to eachother and whipping the water (laying eggs perhaps) every now and then. The English common names "Wandering Glider" and "Globe Skimmer" refer to its migratory behaviour.

1 Species ID Suggestions

Fanie 10 years ago

Pantala (Global wanderer)

Pantala flavescens Pantala flavescens

14 Comments

Tiz 10 years ago

oh no! Haha! But I am practicing a lot, and I fail a lot :)

Adarsha B S 10 years ago

U are becoming specialist in flying shots :)

Tiz 10 years ago

Thank you Staccyh! You are very kind, fantastic words to hear (read) :)

staccyh 10 years ago

Great photos Tiz, as usual!

Tiz 10 years ago

Thank you for the global flight mission-advice, Ingrid! I always thought that it was for birds only! :)

Bayucca and Fanie, I enjoyed following your discussion.

Ingrid3 10 years ago

WOW! Nice!
There is a mission for GLOBAL FLIGHT! If you can add this it would be a great add in!

Fanie 10 years ago

Bayucca

Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa, Michael Samways page 196 Pantala flavescens: "Wings clear, but sometimes with small, diffuse, amber areas, including at tips of wings".

bayucca 10 years ago

I trust your ID, but I believe what I see ;-)..., so if there is no significancy about these spots, OK for me...

Fanie 10 years ago

Bayucca

The dragonfly in the link you gave I would also say is pantala flavescens.

Fanie 10 years ago

Bayucca

I don't think the patch on the wing tip is significant. The two black dots at the end of the abdomen and the black line running on top of the abdomen (2nd photo) is typical for pantala. Also the side of the thorax which have no prominent markings.