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Pantala hymenaea
Spot-Winged Glider
Family: Libellulidae

Species account author: Robert Cannings.
Extracted from Introducing the Dragonflies of British Columbia and the Yukon (2002)

Introduction to the Odonata of BC
The Families of Odonata of BC

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Distribution of Pantala hymenaea in British Columbia.
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Source: (for the static map) RBCM and BCCDC 2004 ©

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Description

Named for the distinctive round brown spot on the base of the broad hindwing. The body is brown and grey; the face is yellow to orange, turning red with age, at least in males. The closely related Wandering Glider is yellow-orange with clear wings. Length: ♂ 46 mm, ♀ 47 mm.

Flight Period

Medium-sized yellow to brown dragonflies with long wings; the hindwing is especially broad at the base. Strong flyers, they can soar and glide, and often migrate long distances. Their wandering is aided by their ability to colonize temporary pools; the larvae can grow rapidly. Only one species has been recorded in B.C., but some are common farther south. The Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens), the only dragonfly that ranges throughout all the world’s tropics, is famous for its flights across oceans. It may travel this far north and is worth looking for, though it has not yet been recorded in B.C.

Family Description

The largest dragonfly family in our region – 24 species in eight genera live here and one other species in another genus is a rare visitor. They come in many sizes and colours, many with bold wing markings or coloured veins. Their eyes meet broadly on top of the head. The anal loop in the hindwing is distinctive: foot-shaped with a long toe. Most common around ponds, marshy lakeshores and sluggish streams, the adults dart about and most species spend a lot of time perched horizontally in the sun. Females lay eggs alone or in the company of guarding males. Most dip the tip of their abdomen into the water when releasing the eggs, but some will tap or splash the eggs into wet mud or moss, or simply flick them into a dry pond basin. Some larvae, like those of the emeralds, move sluggishly or squat on the bottom mud; others climb in vegetation.

Field Notes

I had a good look at this distinctive species as it hunted over my lawn in Victoria during two days in July 1988. These are the only records in B.C., but this glider probably wanders here more often in July and August. Global warming may result in more sightings here. If it begins to breed in the province, this glider will frequent ponds, including temporary ones. The larvae will probably not overwinter here; adults will have migrated north in the spring and their offspring, emerging later in the summer, will fly south.

Origin Status	Provincial Status	BC List (Red Blue List)	COSEWIC
Native	SNA	Accidental	Not Listed

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