A small dragonfly that migrates thousands of miles between continents could be the animal kingdom's most impressive long-distance traveller, scientists believe. Pantala flavescens, which measures barely an inch and a half, has been found in locations as far apart as Texas, eastern Canada, Japan, Korea, India and South America. The insects have strikingly similar genes, indicating that they have not had time to grow apart in their different homes. There can only be one explanation for this lack of diversity, researchers believe. The dragonflies are undertaking breathtaking intercontinental journeys giving them a habitat range stretching across 4,400 miles or more. Their secret is thought to be an ability to sail on wind currents that carry them between America and Asia. Lead scientist Dr Jessica Ware, from Rutgers University in the US, said: "These dragonflies have adaptations such as increased surface areas on their wings that enable them to use the wind to carry them. They stroke, stroke, stroke and then glide for long periods, expending minimal amounts of energy as they do so." The study, published in the journal Public Library of Science ONE, is the first to assess the...
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