Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens). Not yet recorded before on Aruba as far as I know. It's a long distant migrant from the Tropics.
Seen on various spots after July 27 2007, where it was not seen before that date. Small groups have been recorded too, with no less than 4 individuals at Bubali, 5 at St Ana Church and 4 at Ceroe Cadushi. This may indicate new arriving groups. At the end of my stay, from 9 – 12 th August 2007, larger groups were found with numbers reaching 20+ imago’s a spot. At Bubali, for instance, this species (40 imago’s) was seen together with P. Hymenaea (1) and Tramea calverti (70 imago’s), flying around the treetops at 2 pm.

At St Ana Church, the species was seen together with the other Pantala, the Spot-winged Glider (and Orthemis and Tramea). In direct comparison, Wandering Glider is slightly thinner, paler and came really close to the observer.

It could be found hanging in the late afternoon, in long grass or low in bushes, while the Spot-winged Gliders have not been seen on the ground. They tend to fly somewhat higher around the bushes (in the late afternoon) and stayed in the air while the Wandering Gliders came down to rest.

Note the difference in markings between males and females on the abdomen, varying in darkness and amount. Only a few real orange-tinged males were seen. Note the yellow in the wing and the long appendages for a female. The species has not been seen ovipositing yet but looking at the ponds it is flying close too, this may easily be happening. Males tend to outnumber the females or females are more difficult to see.

Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens). Male.

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