The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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North Carolina's 189 Odonate species
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Related Species in LIBELLULIDAE: Number of records for 2024 = 8

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
[View PDF]		Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea) by Mark Shields
Compare with: Wandering 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.
Pantala_hymenaea

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Map
Click on county for list of all its records for Spot-winged Glider
Flight Charts
Distribution Occurs over all of the Coastal Plain and Piedmont (though lacking records for a few counties in the Piedmont). It is of sporadic occurrence in the mountains, where it has been found so far in just half of the counties.
Abundance As with the Wandering Glider, this is a migratory species, constantly on the move, with abundance difficult to assess. Usually much less numerous than Wandering Glider, though it can occur in swarms, more so than does the Wandering. Generally uncommon in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, though it may be fairly common at times, especially in the Coastal Plain, even though two of our three highest one-day counts are in the lower Piedmont. Very rare to rare in the mountains.
Flight Early or mid-April to late October downstate, though the bulk of the records are from late June to mid-September. The few mountain records are from mid-June to mid-August, but the flight there is certainly longer than just two months.
Habitat Similar to Wandering Glider, it uses small, temporary puddles, pools, and shallow ponds for breeding.
Behavior Males may be seen patrolling near puddles, and females may be seen ovipositing at such wet places, though Spot-winged Gliders seldom seem to enter cities to attempt ovipositing on shiny car hoods and rainwater pools in streets. Adults forage widely over all types of habitats, especially open areas along and near the coast.
Comments This species is not familiar to casual observers, despite records from 89 of the 100 counties, because adults infrequently perch, and identification must often be made in flight. Having a net handy to catch such non-perching dragonflies helps! Adults do have a small dark patch at the base of the hind wing, as the common name indicates; sometimes an observer can see this spot in the field, though the overall color of the adult Spot-winged is a bit buffier/browner than the amber-colored Wandering Glider.
State Rank S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-17 09:42:13
Photo Gallery for Spot-winged Glider   25 photos are shown. Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: Amy Padgett

Comment: Carteret, 2024-07-29, Cedar Island NCWRC Boat Ramp/Ferry Terminal - 2:09P Cruising boat ramp and lagoon		Photo 2 by: Hunter Phillips

Comment: Onslow, 2023-07-30, Front yard, Holly Ridge
Photo 3 by: R. Newman

Comment: Carteret, 2023-06-12, FOMA		Photo 4 by: Harry LeGrand; Lori Arent

Comment: Harnett; P, 2022-08-08, Cape Fear River locations - Cape Fear Shiner County Park, seen on vegetation next to soccer fields. Photo by Lori Arent.
Photo 5 by: J. Turner, D. Schafer

Comment: Gates, 2022-08-08, MEMI - Female at the back of the Visitor Center @ -76.698940, 36.436764		Photo 6 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2021-07-28, Hot Springs area
Photo 7 by: Max Ramey

Comment: Wilkes; P, 2021-08-21, Kerr Scott Dam/ Yadkin River (Dam to 1000 ft downstream)		Photo 8 by: Max Ramey

Comment: Watauga, 2021-06-26, Valle Cay-Bottom field
Photo 9 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-07-11, Hot Springs area		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Bladen, 2017-05-07, Horseshoe Lake, Suggs Mill Pond Game Land
Photo 11 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Columbus, 2016-07-22, Lake Waccamaw, southern end between dam and pier		Photo 12 by: Kevin Metcalf

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2016-06-25, Huntersville, backyard of 12025 Regal Lily Lane
Photo 13 by: Mark Shields and Zoology lab students

Comment: Onslow, 2015-09-08, Coastal Carolina Community College, Jacksonville		Photo 14 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt

Comment: Duplin, 2015-08-28, Warsaw. Rest area at I-40 mile marker 364. Feeding 3-8 feet above the ground. - Female.
Photo 15 by: Kristy Baker

Comment: Currituck, 2015-06-09, Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Onslow, 2012-09-04, Retention pond at Coastal Carolina Community College, Jacksonville
Photo 17 by: Doug Johnston

Comment: Buncombe, 2012-07-08, Sandy Mush Game Land		Photo 18 by: Doug Johnston, Simon Thompson, Gail Lankford, Vin Stanton

Comment: Henderson, 2011-08-06, Fletcher Park
Photo 19 by: Doug Johnston, Simon Thompson, Gail Lankford, Vin Stanton

Comment: Henderson, 2011-08-06, Fletcher Park		Photo 20 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Henderson, 2011-07-24, Fletcher Park pond and nearby stream
Photo 21 by: Curtis Smalling

Comment: Dare; Mainland, 2011-07-09, Alligator River NWR - several groups and many perched		Photo 22 by: Doug Johnston

Comment: Onslow, 2011-04-13 - North end of Topsail Island
Photo 23 by: Floyd Williams

Comment: Gates, 2006-06-13, Merchants Millpond State Park		Photo 24 by: Randy Newman

Comment: Carteret, 2004-04-16, Fort Macon State Park
Photo 25 by: Randy Newman

Comment: Carteret, 2003-06-22, Fort Macon State Park