Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) » Dragonflies (Anisoptera) » Skimmers (Libellulidae) » Meadowhawks (Sympetrum) » Mature red adult: internum, janeae, obtrusum, rubicundulum species group (Sympetrum Mature red adult: internum, janeae, obtrusum, rubicundulum species group)
Photo#336345
Meadowhawk...Sympetrum sp. - rubicundulum or internum? - Sympetrum - male
Copyright © 2009 Chris Harper

Meadowhawk...Sympetrum sp. - rubicundulum or internum? - Sympetrum - Male
Weston, Vermont, USA
August 22, 2009
Size: 1.3"
I believe this is a male Ruby Meadowhawk, Sympetrum rubicundulum. But it could be the Cherry-faced Meadowhawk, Sympetrum internum. Is it possible to get a positive ID from these two images of the same individual?

Images of this individual: tag all
Meadowhawk...Sympetrum sp. - rubicundulum or internum? - Sympetrum - male Meadowhawk...Sympetrum sp. - rubicundulum or internum? - Sympetrum - male
Contributed by Chris Harper on 23 September, 2009 - 8:59pm
Last updated 24 September, 2009 - 4:55pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Chris Harper, 24 September, 2009 - 4:55pm

Sorry
It is not possible from these images.
… Steven Price, 24 September, 2009 - 4:22am

 
Thanks
I guessed it might be very difficult to distinguish between a Cherry-faced and a Ruby Meadowhawk from a photograph. If Sidney Dunkle ("Dragonflies through Binoculars") is correct (p.199), these two species hybridize in the east, making ID quite a challenge!
… Chris Harper, 24 September, 2009 - 10:35am

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University logo