General: Spot-winged Glider Dragonflies (Pantala hymenaea) are active daytime fliers occasionally seen flying above water around Las Vegas. These dragonflies fly high and rarely land, so they are hard to identify. However, look for clear wings with a dark spot at the base of the hindwing. For some reason, the spot is hard to see flight. In the hand, notice red on the dorsal surface of the eyes and the mottled yellow and brown abdomen. The face is dirty white or yellowish.

These active creatures are harmless to humans, but they are voracious predators of small flying insects such as flies and mosquitoes. The larvae, however, can provide a bit of a bite. There are some good places for Watching Dragonflies Around Las Vegas.

Taxonomy: Order Odonata, Suborder Anisoptera, Family Libellulidae.