meadowhawks

(Sympetrum spp.)

Overview
meadowhawk (Sympetrum sp.)
Photo by Alfredo Colon
 
  Sympetrum is a genus of dragonflies known as meadowhawks. It has a worldwide distribution, occurring on every continent except Antarctica and Australia. There are more than 50 species of meadowhawks worldwide, 13 species in North America north of Mexico, and at least 10 species in Minnesota. Meadowhawks are very common in Minnesota. Most are late-season, appearing in summer and flying into autumn. They are found in grassy meadows, in marshes, and on lakeshores. All but one (variegated meadowhawk) are relatively tame and easily photographed.      
           
 
Description
 
 

Meadowhawks are small to medium-sized skimmers. Mature males of all species are red except for variegated meadowhawk, which has extensive red markings, and black meadowhawk, which shows no red at all. Some female and juvenile meadowhawks are very similar and nearly impossible to tell apart in the field. Much time and frustration can be avoided by listing these simply as “meadowhawk (Sympetrum sp.)”.

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

7, 17, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 82.
 
  2/26/2020      
         
 
Taxonomy
 
 

Order

Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies)  
 

Suborder

Epiprocta  
 

Infraorder

Anisoptera (dragonflies)  
 

Superfamily

Cavilabiata  
 

Family

Libellulidae (skimmers)  
       
 

Subordinate Taxa

 
 

autumn meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum)

band-winged meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum)

black meadowhawk (Sympetrum danae)

blue-faced meadowhawk (Sympetrum ambiguum) (?)

cardinal meadowhawk (Sympetrum illotum)

cherry-faced meadowhawk (Sympetrum internum)

red-veined meadowhawk (Sympetrum madidum)

ruby meadowhawk (Sympetrum rubicundulum)

saffron-winged meadowhawk (Sympetrum costiferum)

striped meadowhawk (Sympetrum pallipes)

variegated meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)

white-faced meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum)

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

Tarnetrum

 
       
 

Common Names

 
 

meadowhawks

 
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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Alfredo Colon

 
    meadowhawk (Sympetrum sp.)   meadowhawk (Sympetrum sp.)  
           
    meadowhawk (Sympetrum sp.)   meadowhawk (Sympetrum sp.)  
           
    meadowhawk (Sympetrum sp.)      
           
 
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Other Videos
 
  Sympetrum- Dragonfly
Harry Heuven
 
   
 
About

Nov 3, 2017

Sympetrum - Dragonfly

 
       

 

Camcorder

 
 
Visitor Sightings
 
           
 

Report a sighting of this insect.

 
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  Alfredo Colon
August 2019

Location: Slinger, Wisconsin

meadowhawk (Sympetrum sp.)  
  Alfredo Colon
8/10/2019

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

meadowhawk (Sympetrum sp.)  
  Alfredo Colon
8/7/2019

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

meadowhawk (Sympetrum sp.)  
  Alfredo Colon
8/4/2019

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

meadowhawk (Sympetrum sp.)  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
 
 

 

 

 

 

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Created: 2/26/2020

Last Updated:

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