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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) » Dragonflies (Anisoptera) » Skimmers (Libellulidae) » Meadowhawks (Sympetrum) » Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum)
Photo#342404
Dragonfly ID? - Sympetrum vicinum - female
Copyright © 2009 Don Patterson

Dragonfly ID? - Sympetrum vicinum - Female
Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA
October 11, 2009
Size: ~43mm
Got me stumped. For all I can tell, it could be a female clamp-tipped emerald dipped in ketchup and mustard.

On wooden railing near backyard garden. Alive though not patrolling. Repeatedly flew away at my approach, then returned to railing.

Images of this individual: tag all
Dragonfly ID? - Sympetrum vicinum - female Dragonfly ID? - Sympetrum vicinum - female
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Contributed by Don Patterson on 11 October, 2009 - 5:23pm
Last updated 11 October, 2009 - 8:26pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… John F. Carr, 11 October, 2009 - 8:26pm login or register to post comments

Sympetrum vicinum - Autumn Meadowhawk
The "tail skid" is the giveaway for an unusually difficult genera to identify, as the ovipositor projection is definitive, especially in conjunction with the yellow legs. In fact, this species was formerly known as the Yellow-legged Meadowhawk. Often, this late in the season, the Autumn Meadowhawk is the only dragon still flying in the northeast.
… YMerriam, 11 October, 2009 - 6:09pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks
The behavior, yellow wing-base, delta-shaped ovipositor, and metallic stripes on the abdomen all make sense now. But I never would have figured it out. Didn't know a female meadowhawk could have a reddish abdomen.
… Don Patterson, 12 October, 2009 - 3:32am login or register to post comments

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