#globe skimmer

[spacefinch]

This is a Swamp Dragon appreciation post. You just gotta love dragonflies!

Also: I named my Yanma in Pokémon Go after him. I mean: they’re practically twins!

[clanoffelidae]

WHAAAAAAT I was trying to identify a dragonfly I saw yesterday and turns out it’s a globe skimmer

GLOBE SKIMMERS MAKE MULTIGENERATIONAL MIGRATIONS OF OVER 11 THOUSAND MILES EVERY YEAR

RUSSIA IS 5,500 MILES ISH

THEY TRAVEL THE LENGTH OF RUSSIA

TWICE

EACH INDIVIDUAL TRAVELS ABOUT 3,700 OF THE MILES

THE USA IS 2,800 MILES WIDE

HOLY FUCK GODSPEED YOU FUNKY LIL BUG

[dougdimmadodo]

Globe Skimmer (Pantala flavescens)

Family: Libellulidae (Skimmer Dragonfly Family)

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Also known as the Globe Wanderer or Wandering Glider, the Globe Skimmer is by far the most widespread and abundant dragonfly on earth - it can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and can be found in almost any habitat that provides suitable water (although it is regionally somewhat rare in Europe.) It is perhaps best known for its migratory behavior, engaging in “multi-generational migrations”, meaning that migrations are carried out somewhat like a relay race - part of the overall migration is carried out by one generation which, upon arriving at a destination, mates and dies, with the next generation then travelling to the next location in the overall migration to ensure that their offspring are born in conditions that increase their chance of surviving for long enough to mate themselves. Different populations of Globe Skimmers travel to different locations depending on where they are born (for example Globe Skimmers born in India cross the Indian Ocean and migrate to eastern Africa in the autumn/fall and upon arriving they breed and produce offspring which will then migrate back to India to breed in the following spring), but in its lifespan a single Globe Skimmer may travel 6,000 km (3,730 miles), while a multi-generational migration may involve travelling over 18,000 km (about 11,200 miles). Globe Skimmers mate while in flight and typically lay their eggs in temporary ponds or deep puddles - the larvae develop very quickly and typically reach full maturity within 30-60 days. As with all dragonflies, both adult and larval Globe Skimmers are agile carnivores - adults feed on smaller flying insects, while larvae feed on aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles and even small fish.

Extra Fun Fact: In areas where they occur, it is believed that Globe Skimmers rely on seasonal winds (winds that change directions as the seasons change) to make their migrations easier (typically migrating in the same direction that the wind is blowing.) The changes in wind direction may also be partially responsible for triggering this species’ migratory instincts.

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Image Source: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/108344-Pantala-flavescens

[crudlynaturephotos]

[ayanos-pl]

ウスバキトンボ（8月26日）

nomadka żółtawa (Pantala flavescens)

globe skimmer, globe wanderer or wandering glider (Pantala flavescens)

[bone-free-as-the-wind]

Saw Wandering Glider/Globe Skimmer dragonflies today. They are highly evolved, champion migrators, and the cheeriest of dragonflies, I took it as a sign of a good autumn ahead. Happy Fall Equinox.

(photo by S Suzuki-Martinez)

[bone-free-as-the-wind]

My latest poem just went live on Peach Velvet Magazine’s “The Poet’s Tarot” Hallozine issue. Very cool, young, and beautiful little journal. I struggled to find a way to write about the impressive Globe Skimmer dragonfly, and Peach Velvet’s submissions call gave me the format I needed to write the poem. Happy Halloween.

[bone-free-as-the-wind]

The Pantala Flavescens, a dragonfly also known as the Wandering Glider /Globe Skimmer /Globe Wanderer. Scientists found it may fly nearly 5,000 miles in its migration that takes several generations to complete. Monarch butterflies long thought to be the longest traveling insects cover only half the distance of this awesome little (1.8 inch) dragonfly. More here.