Diet

• Pantala flavescens is a highly active aerial predator. Adults capture small flying insects while continuously patrolling, often feeding over open ground and wetlands and sometimes gathering in large swarms.

• The larvae are aquatic predators that feed on small aquatic invertebrates, including insect larvae. They develop rapidly, allowing the species to make use of temporary pools that may exist for only a short period.

Range

• The Wandering Glider is one of the most widely distributed dragonflies in the world. It occurs throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia. It occurs in the Zihuatanejo area, where it can be encountered over open areas, wetlands and temporary water bodies, particularly following seasonal rains.

Habitat

• Unlike many dragonflies that remain close to permanent water, P. flavescens frequently breeds in small, temporary pools and puddles created by rainfall. These can include shallow ponds, rain-filled depressions and temporary pools in open country.

• Adults spend much of their time on the wing over fields, grassland, marshes, open woodland, towns and other open habitats. They are powerful gliders and may remain airborne for long periods, often using air currents to travel with relatively little wing movement.

• Around Zihuatanejo, it can be seen over seasonal ponds and wetlands as well as open areas away from water.

Description

• The Wandering Glider is a medium-sized, robust dragonfly, generally about 45–50 mm long. It has a yellowish to orange-brown body, a tapered abdomen and broad wings.

• The abdomen has a series of elongated, diamond-shaped dark markings along the dorsal surface. The hind wings are particularly broad and have a small, characteristic dark mark near each tip.

• Males and females are broadly similar in appearance. The species is especially recognizable in flight by its large wings, slightly drooping abdomen and characteristic slow, gliding flight.