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Globe Skimmer

Pantala flavescens

Photo by Tiz
Published on Project Noah
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-26.2104, 32.003

Field Notes

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.

Species ID Suggestions

Pantala (Global wanderer)

Pantala flavescens

Comments (14)

oh no! Haha! But I am practicing a lot, and I fail a lot :)
U are becoming specialist in flying shots :)
Thank you Staccyh! You are very kind, fantastic words to hear (read) :)
Great photos Tiz, as usual!
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.
WOW! Nice! There is a mission for GLOBAL FLIGHT! If you can add this it would be a great add in!
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".
I trust your ID, but I believe what I see ;-)..., so if there is no significancy about these spots, OK for me...
Bayucca The dragonfly in the link you gave I would also say is pantala flavescens.
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.
@Fanie: I can see two colored patches on the wings, in Pantala I only can see one??
The dragonfly here might be same/similar one?? http://www.wildlifesouthafrica.com/photo-gallery/index.htm
Nice links for a rainy Sunday... http://www.warwicktarboton.co.za/Dragonfly%20list.html Sorry, did not find a reasonable match...
Thank you Master Fanie :)))

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