Rust Dragonfly - Sympetrum madidum

Sympetrum

one of those western meadowhawks that drive us crazy. We see a stripe on the side of the thorax, so that should rule out S. illotum. Seems to be color in the wings out to the wingtips, so that should rule out S. occidentale. Seems to have a red face, so that should rule out S. pallipes. Does that mean this is S. costiferum, Saffron-winged? If someone out there knows his or her western Sympetrum, maybe you can check these, and please check these species in the guide too. Everytime we go back to these we have second thoughts about what we have already put in the guide. Just when we think we understand pallipes, we worry that we confused them again! Anyone know if Kathy Biggs is around and could help with this?

… john and jane balaban, 25 June, 2005 - 11:21am

RE: Sympetrum

I was looking around a little bit and came across a Ruby Meadowhawk... I realize that the site I was looking at says "Iowa"... but maybe this Sympetrum rubicundulum is out west too???

… mscaprikell, 25 June, 2005 - 7:42pm

S. madidum??

There is a red veined meadowhak in California. It is not shown from SLO Co., but is right next door. California dragonflies is a great site which should be of great help for you. Teach us if you figure them all out! Regards your question, S. rubicundulum is not listed for California, however.

… john and jane balaban, 25 June, 2005 - 11:59pm

Kathy Biggs

Wrote to Kathy Biggs and here is her response (As you can see your Red-veined is a county record and she would like to hear from you so she can update the records.):

Hi,
Meadowhawks are notoriously difficult to ID! But you are doing well!
I registered, but haven't received the password.
Thanks so much for sending the Red-veined image on. Yes, it is indeed a county record and I'll need the name of the photographer and their email so that it can be properly vouchered.

Scott Taylor's CO images are indeed the Striped Meadowhawk - the
stripes on top of the thorax cinch the ID.

The other Striped Meadowhawks all look good too. Well done!
Nice service you are providing and I'll be glad to help whenever I can.

Kathy Biggs

California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly
Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/

… john and jane balaban, 21 July, 2005 - 6:42pm

RE: Kathy Biggs

Wow.... yay! I am glad that the images captured something that is a county record!

you can send her my information if you like; however, I am going to make a stop at her sites listed and contact her there and reference my post here.

I am just lucky this cute guy stopped for such a long period of time to let me capture images of it.

~Kelly

… mscaprikell, 22 July, 2005 - 12:09pm