Pantala flavescens – the Globe Skimmer

Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.

comments (6)

RMFelix

Lion

Female, right? Posted 9 years ago
1. Vodkaman
  
  Lion
  
  There are subtle differences between the sexes. The main sign is the presence of a false genital on the underside of the 2nd segment, just behind the thorax of the male. The next best guide is the coloration, the male carries a stronger coloration. I would say that coloration is not 100% unless it is strong (male) as in the first image of this series. I believe the other three are all females.
  
  In this image, you can see a small tab hanging down at the rear of the abdomen. This is the basal plate or vulvar laminar and part of the ovipositor equipment of a female.
  
  So yes, you are correct. Posted 9 years ago
2. 1. RMFelix
    
    Lion
    
    Nice description. Seeing the photo again, the vulvar scale is quite evident. And yes, id based on body colors is not acurate, also given the fact that in immature states odonata male and female present the same colors until adulthood, where males became different. Thanks, cheers Posted 9 years ago
  2. 1. Vodkaman
      
      Lion
      
      When ever I photograph odonata, I always try to get a good side view for a sexing reference. The problem with flavescens, is that you rarely get a chance to photograph the beast on the ground, as it spends most of its day areal. I have 20 images of static flavescens and 37 images in-flight.
      
      Dave Posted 9 years ago
    2. 1. RMFelix
        
        Lion
        
        Yep, I've heard about that behavior, not a see-it-do-it in therms of getting photos. There are very challenging dragonflies to photograph. Macromiidae are by far the most challenging i've seen so far. Or you have that strike of luck as it stands on a tree branch for a brief shot, or the only possibility is to capture it in flight... but even in flight is almost an impossible task as it cruises the river upwards and downwards never standing still, never hovering for a fraction of time. Even when you spot one in flight as it passes like a bolt you have to wait 'minutes' or more to get another best chance, in the middle on the river, with water up to the waist, and a camera in hand ;) Allow me to share this photo, the result of three months of work (I have only two, three more good frames, just that...), of the Macromia splendens:
        
        http://www.jungledragon.com/image/34297/splendid_cruiser.html/zoom
        
        Thanks for your feedback on the behavior of the Pantala flavescens! Sure it adds more understanding about the biology and ecology of such a fantastic, global, wandering glider dragonfly* By the way, I believe that the migration of this species at least head-to-head with the Queen Monarch Danaus plexippus ;) It is, in fact, like a thousand more odonata, a species with so many many mysteries to be unfold...
        
        My best, cheers*
        Thanks a lot,
        Rui Posted 9 years ago, modified 9 years ago
      2. Vodkaman
        
        Lion
        
        I agree, still lots to learn about flavescens. People study it at specific locations, but no one has followed it.
        
        I spent quite a few sessions figuring out how to shoot the mid-air flavescens. I will put shots up and write about my methods in the next few days.
        
        Very nice shot :)
        
        Dave Posted 9 years ago, modified 9 years ago

The Wandering Glider

"Pantala flavescens", the Globe Skimmer or Wandering Glider, is a wide-ranging dragonfly of the family Libellulidae. This species and "Pantala hymenaea," the "Spot-winged Glider", are the only members of the genus "Pantala" from the subfamily Pantalinae. It was first described by Fabricius in 1798. It is considered to be the most widespread dragonfly on the planet.

Info 27 0

Similar species: Dragonflies And Damselflies

Species identified by Vodkaman