According to scientists, the tiny pantala flavescens (Pantala Flavescens) is the longest flying flier. It is only 1.5 inches in length (3.8 cm). The Indian Ocean, from Asia to Africa is where it can fly continuously. The Globe Skimmer, or Wandering Glider, is a prolific, long-distance traveler, which crosses continents to breed and fly thousands of miles. This was documented by Rutgers University Newark, the United States. (citation below). Jessica Ware (assistant professor of biology in University’s College of Arts and Sciences) is the senior author. She and her colleagues believe that the evidence lies within the genes of the insects. It must be that the amazing dragonfly is inter- and intra-nationally distributed if they are found all around the globe and the genes match. Pantala flavescens was found at locations in South America, India and Korea. It has also been discovered in eastern Canada, Texas, Japan, Korea, Japan, Korea, Japan and Korea. It has been found in all of these locations with similar genetic profiles. There is one reason for this. The common gene pool of Dragonfly is worldwide. These incredible creatures seem to have travelled remarkable distances considering their small size. They also appear to be breeding together and creating an international gene pool. This would not be possible without them intermingle. Professor Ware stated that this is the first time someone has examined genes and seen how far these insects traveled. We would have expected that North American Pantala only crossed with Japanese Pantala and that Japanese Pantala only crossed with North American Pantala. This suggests that the insects may have traveled a great distance. Image adapted from www.plos.org. How does this happen? How do tiny animals from various continents come together to breed and meet? These aren’t huge birds or whales with enormous wingsspans that can travel incredible distances. Biologists think their remarkable feat is due to how their bodies evolved. Professor Ware stated that dragonflies are able to use wind as their main source of transportation because they have adapted wings with greater surface area. The dragonflies glide non-stop across vast oceans, crossing large seas, and other distances. Single flights across the Indian Ocean from Asia to Africa have been observed. Daniel Troast (postgraduate biology student) was the co-author of the study. He analysed DNA from Prof. Ware’s laboratory and said that dragonflies “follow the weather.” Professor Jessica Ware, Daniel Troast. Images courtesy Rutgers. The dragonfly travels to places with high moisture levels in order to reproduce. These insects are driven by the desire for moisture to travel such great distances. Prof. Ware calls it a “kind of suicide mission”. It is dependent on water. Even if there are many who die on the journey, the enormous trips can be worth it. As long as they reproduce and survive, the species will continue to thrive. Scientists discovered that some people fly continuously while others make stops along the route. Pantalas flight patterns are different, which is why scientists were surprised to discover this. Some dragonflies are capable of flying the entire journey without stopping, while others may catch strong winds or hurricane winds. Except for Anax Junius and Pantala Flavescens, most dragonflies remain within 36 foot of their birthplace. They are more like puddle jumping, the less resilient ones. Fresh water is essential for an insect to mating and laying eggs. The authors explained that the insects will stop to mating at freshwater pools created by rainstorms while flying in a wind current. Once the eggs hatch and the babies become mature enough to fly (which takes only a few weeks), the young dragonflies can join their intercontinental, multi-generational adventure. Further research is required. The scientists say the current details about these insects’ flying patterns and travel behaviours can only be guessed at. Professor Ware said that there are many unanswered and unresolved questions. Their study so far has shown that there are a large number of intertwining dragonflies. Troast and Ware hope to be able to collect more detailed data about the routes of dragonflies. It is not easy to track these tiny creatures. These tiny creatures are simply too small to be tracked with tracking devices. This dragonfly beats the Monarch Butterfly handsomely According to Prof. Ware, and his colleagues, this dragonfly is a far superior long-distance flyer than its Monarch Butterfly counterpart. Troast stated that Monarch butterflies were the longest-migrating insects [traveling about 2,500 miles or 4,023 km each way],. However, Pantala has a flight range of at least four ,400 mile (7 ,081 kilometers). This dragonfly beats Charles Lindbergh (1902-1974),, who flew alone from New York City to Paris in 1927,. Long-distance flying is a unique skill of Pantala (Anax Junius) and Green Darner (Anax viridis). Dragonflies are confined to ponds, and most rarely travel more than 36 feet from their birthplace. Citation: “A Global Population Genetic Study on Pantala flavescens”, Daniel Troast and Frank Suhling. Hiroshi Jijuji, Goran Shlen, Jessica Ware. PLOS ONE. 2 March, 2016. DOI: DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148949. Video: Dragonfly birth. This video is about the birth of a Pantala Flavescens dragonfly. It is ready for flight in minutes.
