NC Odonate Website

Related Species in LIBELLULIDAE:

Number of records for 2025 = 0

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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.

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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

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-17 09:42:13

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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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