United States and Canada
The species has a yellow abdomen marked with distinct bands at each segment. These contrasting colors along with the dark basal spot in each hindwing will readily distinguish this species from others in our region. Males have a brown face with a metallic violet luster. The thorax is brown and largely unmarked. There is a black middorsal stripe on abdominal segments 8-10 and the caudal appendages are black.
Size: Total length: 40-44 mm; abdomen: 29-35 mm; hindwing: 34-38 mm.
Similar Species (south-central US): Hyacinth Glider (Miathyria marcella) is smaller, has pale lateral thoracic stripes and a middorsal black stripe on the abdomen. Marl Pennant (Macrodiplax balteata) has a larger round spot basally in the hindwing.
Habitat: Slow, calm waters with emergent or floating vegetation.
Natural History: The only record of this species in the region is a single male specimen in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods collected in Kingsville, Texas. As its common name implies this species has a distinct gliding flight, ranging widely when feeding. Males patrol territories over floating plants, where females lay eggs at their bases (Dunkle pers. comm.).
Distribution: South Texas, Mexico, West Indies, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Source: Abbott, J.C. 2006-2010. OdonataCentral: An online resource for the distribution and identification of Odonata. Available at OdonataCentral.
Edited by Drew Weber (9/24/2015).
