Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00595
Globe Skimmer
Pantala flavescens
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About Globe Skimmer
Globe Skimmer (Pantala flavescens) is a member of Libellulidae in the order Odonata. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is indigenous.
Globe Skimmer (Pantala flavescens) is documented from Kauaʻi. Skimmer dragonflies have aquatic predatory naiads and aerial predatory adults. Many species are strong dispersers and use ponds, marshes, streams, or temporary water. On Kauaʻi, observations are most useful when they record waterbody, exuviae/naiads, adult sex/color phase, territorial behavior, and season. Where island-specific host, prey, breeding-site, abundance, or seasonal information is not yet firmly documented, those details should remain tied to direct specimens and field observations rather than inferred from populations elsewhere.
Globe Skimmer (Pantala flavescens) is an indigenous, highly migratory dragonfly common on Kauaʻi. It breeds in temporary and permanent freshwater, including rain pools, tanks, wetlands, and disturbed water bodies.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Multiple Kauaʻi invertebrate surveys directly observed Pantala flavescens; Bishop Museum treats it as indigenous and common throughout Hawaiʻi.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Egg; aquatic naiad; emergence/final molt; winged adult; no pupa.
Habitat
Freshwater pools, ponds, wetlands, slow streams, and surrounding aerial foraging habitat.
Food and ecological role
Naiads prey on aquatic animals; adults capture flying insects.
Reproduction
Adults mate near water and females lay eggs in or over suitable freshwater habitat.
Movement
Adults are strong fliers; naiads remain aquatic.
Ecosystem role
Predator in aquatic and aerial food webs.
Threats and impacts
Recruitment depends on freshwater habitat quality; introduced species may also interact with native odonates.
Monitoring
Record waterbody, exuviae/naiads, adult sex/color phase, territorial behavior, and season.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Pantala flavescens
- Common names
- Globe Skimmer
- Family
- Libellulidae
- Order
- Odonata
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Indigenous
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Globe Skimmer (Pantala flavescens) is a member of Libellulidae in the order Odonata. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is indigenous.