Wadering Glider or Globe Skimmer Pantala flavescens (Dhahran Hills) – Identified by Petro Pynnönen

The Wandering Glider or Globe Skimmer Pantala flavescens is a large species often seen hawking insects over sizable pools in wadis of the Tuwayq Hills, where it eats its prey on the wing.. It is a strong flyer that may account for its widespread distribution, where it is the most widespread dragonfly on the planet. It is found where annual mean temperatures are above 20 degrees Celsius. They are found in many parts of the world and may only be a migrant to Saudi Arabia. In Insects of Eastern Arabia by Walker & Pittaway 1987, it is not shown in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, but the one photographed here was taken at Dhahran Percolation Pond in the Eastern Province. As mentioned above this may be because they are migrants with recent stable isotope date suggesting they migrate from India or beyond to Africa across the Arabian Sea. This note is due to the fact that Petro Pynnönen sent me the identification of the dragonfly after I posted the photo and asked for help naming it. I thank Petro very much for adding to my, and hopefully your, knowledge.

Unidentified Dragonfly in flight – Dhahran Hills

Whilst walking around the ‘patch’ the other day I saw plenty of dragonflies lying about. I only had my big 600mm lens with me so tried my luck at photographing one as I had seen an excellent photo on Mike Popes Birds of Kuwait website. After numerous failed attempts I managed to get a single reasonable shot. It is good fun trying to photograph the dragonflies and I will definitely have another go soon to see what happens.