NC Odonate Website

Related Species in LIBELLULIDAE:

Number of records for 2023 = 28

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Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Spot-winged Glider
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
Note: these identification tips apply to both sexes. Male depicted here.

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Map

Click on county for list of all its records for Wandering Glider

Flight Charts

Distribution

Essentially statewide, but not as widespread in the mountains as downstate. Presumed to occur in all 100 counties.

Abundance

A widespread species, seen often during the year, especially during the fall season. Abundance is difficult to assess or describe, as it is migratory and does not establish permanent colonies, though generally fairly common to common across the state, being somewhat more numerous in the Coastal Plain and eastern Piedmont than farther westward. Observers frequently see individuals in cities and towns, attempting to lay eggs on shiny car hoods; however, large numbers are seldom seen in a given day, and it is often missed in field work in "the country". Seems to be most often seen along or near the coast in the fall, migrating southward (presumably).

Flight

Downstate, from early May to early December, most frequently reported in mid-summer and fall, though the highest numbers of individuals are seen from late August to late September. There is even a record for late December. In the mountains, the flight is mainly from early June to early October.

Habitat

Unlike all other dragonflies except the related Spot-winged Glider, it uses small, temporary puddles and pools for depositing eggs. These can be rainwater pools on city streets, as well as puddles in powerline clearings and other ephemeral ponds.

Behavior

Only the two gliders (Pantala) share the "wandering" habit of foraging. Males may patrol temporary pools where eggs have been laid, and females (of course) can be seen ovipositing in such temporary pools. However, they spend most of their time in wide-ranging flights, often 5-10 feet or higher, over all types of open country, from fields, marshes, towns, dunes, and even offshore! Like swallows and swifts, these dragonflies seldom seem to perch, but when found hanging from a twig, they can be somewhat unwary.

Comments

Wandering Gliders can literally be seen anywhere, from downtown streets to over the Gulf Stream. Because they are constantly on the wing, identification can be difficult, and often one must assume that an amber-colored dragonfly, with no obvious wing markings (to rule out saddlebags, for example), is a Wandering Glider -- especially if seen close to the coast in the fall. A range map for this species is a bit misleading, as it is a hit-and-run type of breeder, with no site fidelity.

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Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-17 09:31:33

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Wandering Glider 27 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Mark Shields Comment: Hyde, 2023-08-19, Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge		Photo 2 by: Lora Cline Loftin Comment: McDowell; P, 2020-08-30, Marion
	Photo 3 by: Harry LeGrand, Lori Arent Comment: Wake, 2020-08-28, Wooten Meadows Park - photo by Lori Arent		Photo 4 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-08-15, Hot Springs area
	Photo 5 by: Mark Shields Comment: Currituck, 2018-09-08, Historic Corolla Park, Corolla		Photo 6 by: Mike Turner Comment: Yadkin, 2018-08-24, Yadkin River @ NC 67
	Photo 7 by: Robert Gilson Comment: Mecklenburg, 2018-06-26, Albert Stevens		Photo 8 by: Mark Shields Comment: Duplin, 2017-09-19, Northeast Cape Fear River at Wayne's Landing Boating Access - pair in wheel while flying; female ovipositing in puddle
	Photo 9 by: Mark Shields Comment: Brunswick, 2017-09-16, Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve, Winnabow		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2017-09-12, southern end of Topsail Island, sound side
	Photo 11 by: Mark Shields Comment: New Hanover, 2016-11-19, limesink ponds at Carolina Beach State Park		Photo 12 by: Mark Shields Comment: New Hanover, 2015-09-13, Ft. Fisher State Recreation Area, Basin Trail
	Photo 13 by: Mark Shields and Zoology lab students Comment: Onslow, 2015-09-01, Coastal Carolina Community College, Jacksonville - at retention ponds		Photo 14 by: George Andrews Comment: Mecklenburg, 2013-07-25, Beatty Park
	Photo 15 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2012-09-11, Beaver Lake Asheville - Male		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2012-09-11, at Coastal Carolina Community College
	Photo 17 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2012-08-13, Beaver Lake Asheville - Male & Female		Photo 18 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston Comment: Transylvania, 2011-08-19, Brevard
	Photo 19 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2011-08-14, Hooper Lane, Mills River area - Male and Female		Photo 20 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2011-08-14, Hooper Lane, Mills River area - Male and Female
	Photo 21 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2011-08-14, Hooper Lane, Mills River area - Male and Female		Photo 22 by: Bob Oberfelder Comment: Wake, 2011-07-31, Observed in Cary at Lochmere Golf Course, female
	Photo 23 by: Doug Johnston, Simon Thompson, Jamie Harrelson Comment: Transylvania, 2010-08-31, Brevard hospital grounds		Photo 24 by: M. Windsor Comment: Dare; OBU, 2006-09-03, Jockeys Ridge State Park - explosion of dragonflies after tropical storm Ernesto, feeding on midges
	Photo 25 by: R Emmitt Comment: Craven, 2004-08-07, Croatan National Forest, Catfish Lake Road		Photo 26 by: Randy Newman Comment: Carteret, 2003-10-19, Fort Macon State Park
	Photo 27 by: Randy Newman Comment: Carteret, 2003-10-19, Fort Macon State Park