Meadowhawks
What are they?
Meadowhawks form a discreet group of dragonflies within the Libellulidae. Many species are the most widespread and abundant dragonflies during late summer and early autumn, but Cape May seems to be at odds with this and meadowhawks are generally only encountered in small numbers here.
Identification
Males are typically mostly red in color and can usually be identified by a combination of face and leg color. Females can be extremely difficult to identify to species and often impossible without close examination of the external genitalia.
Yellow-legged Meadowhawk Sympetrum vicinum
Length: 1.2-1.3 inches. Flight time: Late June to early December. Found in small numbers at a wide array of wetland types as well as open fields and woodland edges. This species is often known as Autumn Meadowhawk, but late summer and autumn is the peak period for All of the meadowhawks in our area, so this name is not especially relevant or helpful. A key identifying species is the pale, straw-colored legs, which tend to be black in other species.
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Blue-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum ambiguum
Length: 1.4 inches. Flight time: Mid August to late September. Widespread and found in small numbers in a wide variety of habitats, often away from water in fields and other open habitats. Readily told from other meadowhawks by the blue-green wash to the face.
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