saffron-winged meadowhawk

Saffron-winged meadowhawk is a medium-sized meadowhawk. It is one of the last dragonflies to be seen in the fall.

On males the thorax is brown on the top, red on the sides, and covered with brown hairs. The abdomen is red. On each side of the abdomen there is a line of low, poorly-formed triangles forming a black stripe. There is usually a thin black line on the upper (dorsal) surface of the 8th and 9th abdominal segments. The face is pale red. The legs are vertically striped yellow and black, becoming red and black in older individuals.

The leading edge of both wings is gold, becoming clear on older individuals. On all individuals the stigma is solid gold or red and the leading veins remain gold or reddish.

On females the abdomen is yellow and the face is light yellow or almost white. On juveniles the thorax is yellow without black markings.

Total length: 1¼″ to 1½″

White-faced meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum) has black legs. On juveniles, the veins near the base of the wing (where it attaches to the thorax) are yellow but the leading veins are black except at the base. The stigmas are black.

Ponds, especially when bordered by marshes.

Early June to late October

After mating the female, still with the male still attached, lays eggs by dipping the tip of the abdomen into shallow water. Eggs overwinter and hatch in the spring. The nymphs emerge in at night from early June to late August.

Mosquito larvae, other aquatic fly larvae, mayfly larvae, freshwater shrimp, very small fish, and tadpoles.

Mosquitoes, flies, small moths, mayflies, flying ants, termites, and other soft flying insects.

Sources

4, 7, 17, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 82, 83.

Common

Saffron Winged Meadowhawk
DianesDigitals

Saffron-winged Meadowhawk
Andree Reno Sanborn

Saffron-winged Meadowhawk (Libellulidae: Sympetrum costiferum) on Leaf
Carl Barrentine

Dahl
8/30/2024

Location: Devils Lake, ND

Location: Carver County