Identification

Field Marks

• Average adult size is approximately from 1.7 to 2.0 inches
• Bright yellow face
• Red eyes
• Thorax mustard yellow in front and on top with pale sides
• Legs beige-tan at base becoming black lower on
• Orange abdomen with black irregular shaped top spots, sometimes surrounded by white near the first segments, running down the center
• Orange terminal appendage with black tips
• Small reddish patches at the tips of the wings
• Hind wing has a very broad base

Field Marks

• Female is colored similarly to the male
• Cerci as long as segments 9 and 10 combined
• Orange subgenital plate is about two thirds as long as segment 9

Behavior

The Wandering Glider is a very strong flyer, with the longest migration of any species of dragonfly. They have been found perching on ships far at sea. Late in the seasn they can be seen joining with saddlebags and darners in feeding swarms. When not in flight they tend to perch hanging vertically or slanted at around a 45 degree angle

Habitat

Temporary ponds, pools, drainage ditches and other fishless temporary wetlands

Reproduction

Females lay eggs by tapping their abdomen against the water of temporary pools and ponds, either alone or in tandem with male. Females often lay eggs on cars, concrete or other shiny surfaces, mistaking them for water. This species has a very short larval cycle