16) Pantala flavescens overview

 Pantala flavescens

Habit and habitate of Pantala

Native to Asia, the United States, etc. It is usually found at small standing waters, including ponds and puddles, but also can be seen over fields, etc. well away from water.

Comments on Pantala flavescens

1. Common names are dragonfly, globe skinner, globe wanderer, etc.
2. They are distinctive tapper-shaped.
3. They are yellow-red in color.
4. The length of the body is about 1.9 to 20 inches.
5. They have elongated abdomen.
6. They have olive or yellow or reddish thorax.
7. The wings are clear and very broad at the base.
8. The chestnut red eyes take up most of the head, as usual in the dragonfly.
9. Males have longer forewing and shorter hindwings form females.
10. Easily found near greenery or tropical regions.

Pantala flavescens

Some points are helping to learn more about Pantala flavescense.

"Pantala flavescens," commonly known as the globe skimmer or wandering glider, is a species of dragonfly found across much of the globe. 

Here are some key points about this fascinating insect:

1. Distribution: Pantala flavescens is one of the most widely distributed dragonfly species in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica. It exhibits a remarkable migratory behavior, with populations traveling thousands of miles across oceans.

2. Migratory Behavior: This species is renowned for its long-distance migration. Some individuals have been recorded traveling over 10,000 miles during their lifetime, making it one of the longest migratory flights of any insect.

3. Habitat: Globe skimmers inhabit a variety of aquatic environments, including ponds, lakes, marshes, and even temporary pools. They are highly adaptable and can be found in both freshwater and brackish water habitats.

4. Appearance: Adult Pantala flavescens are slender, with elongated bodies and large wings. They are characterized by their yellowish-brown coloration and transparent wings, which have distinctive dark markings near the tips.

5. Feeding Habits: As voracious predators, globe skimmers feed primarily on small flying insects, including mosquitoes, flies, and other aerial prey. They are often seen darting and hovering over water bodies as they hunt for food.

6. Life Cycle: Like all dragonflies, Pantala flavescens undergo incomplete metamorphosis, with three distinct life stages: egg, nymph (larva), and adult. The nymphs live in water and feed on aquatic organisms before emerging as adults.

7. Reproduction: Mating typically occurs in flight, with males pursuing females and engaging in aerial displays to attract mates. After mating, females lay their eggs in water bodies, where the nymphs hatch and develop.

8. Ecological Importance: As predators of various flying insects, including pests like mosquitoes, globe skimmers play a vital role in controlling insect populations and maintaining ecosystem balance.

9. Conservation Status: Pantala flavescens is not considered threatened or endangered. Its wide distribution and adaptable nature help ensure its survival, although habitat loss and pollution can still impact local populations.

10. Research and Study: Due to its migratory behavior and ecological significance, Pantala flavescens is the subject of scientific research aimed at understanding insect migration patterns, population dynamics, and ecological interactions.