Sympetrum costiferum
Encyclopedia
The Saffron-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum costiferum) is a dragonfly
of the genus Sympetrum
. It is found across northern and central United States and most of Canada, including a southern portion of the Northwest Territories.
Its abdomen is yellowish-brown, turning pale red at maturity in both sexes. Juveniles and females have gold (saffron) coloured wing stripes. Veins of males and females are reddish or orange. The sides of the abdomen are marked with black triangles. Some females have amber in basal areas of their wings. Legs are striped in black and yellow or red. Size: 35 mm (1.4 in). This species overlaps with and is difficult to distinguish from both the Ruby and White-faced Meadowhawks.
Dragonfly
A dragonfly is a winged insect belonging to the order Odonata, the suborder Epiprocta or, in the strict sense, the infraorder Anisoptera . It is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and an elongated body...
of the genus Sympetrum
Sympetrum
Sympetrum is a genus of small to medium sized skimmer dragonflies, known as darters in the UK and as meadowhawks in the North America...
. It is found across northern and central United States and most of Canada, including a southern portion of the Northwest Territories.
Its abdomen is yellowish-brown, turning pale red at maturity in both sexes. Juveniles and females have gold (saffron) coloured wing stripes. Veins of males and females are reddish or orange. The sides of the abdomen are marked with black triangles. Some females have amber in basal areas of their wings. Legs are striped in black and yellow or red. Size: 35 mm (1.4 in). This species overlaps with and is difficult to distinguish from both the Ruby and White-faced Meadowhawks.
Similar species
- Sympetrum obtrusum – White-faced Meadowhawk
- Sympetrum rubicundulumSympetrum rubicundulumThe Ruby Meadowhawk is a species of dragonfly of the family Libellulidae. It is found in northern United States and southern Ontario, Canada. Adult males are identifiable by a distinctive orange to brown face and red bodies...
– Ruby Meadowhawk - Sympetrum internumSympetrum internumThe Cherry-faced Meadowhawk is a dragonfly of the genus Sympetrum. It is found across northern and central United States and most of Canada, including southern portions of the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Its abdomen is brown, turning dark red at maturity in both sexes. The sides of the...
– Cherry-faced Meadowhawk
External links
- Saffron-winged Meadowhawk, NJodes
- Saffron-winged Meadowhawk, Nature Inquiries
- Saffron-winged Meadowhawk, Rickert's Garden
- Saffron-winged Meadowhawk, BugGuide