Visualisation of early embryos of the wandering glider, Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798) (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Abstract The embryonic development of Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798) is documented for the first time. In contrast to previously reported insect embryonic development, we describe the embryological development of P. flavescens in living conditions by focusing on its externally recognisable features, i.e., we conducted the study in a purely non-destructive manner. The entire embryonic development was completed within six to seven days. We pictured the eggs at successive embryonic developmental stages: embryogenesis starts, germband formation, segmentation, blastokinesis, appendage formation, and dorsal closure. These findings can be helpful in future studies regarding the impacts of pollutants and climate change on the early embryonic development of dragonflies.