Species Sympetrum rubicundulum - Ruby Meadowhawk

Classification · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · See Also · Print References · Works Cited

Ruby Meadowhawk - Sympetrum rubicundulum - male

Sympetrum - Sympetrum rubicundulum - male

Ruby Meadowhawk - Sympetrum rubicundulum - female

Female Meadowhawk - Based on Subgenital Plates is it Ruby or Cherry-Faced? - Sympetrum rubicundulum

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)

Suborder Anisoptera (Dragonflies)

Family Libellulidae (Skimmers)

Genus Sympetrum (Meadowhawks)

Species rubicundulum (Ruby Meadowhawk)

Size

1.3"

Identification

Males may be recognizable by shape of hamuli, but see comments by Steve here

. rubicundulum and internum may be conspecific; see HERE

Range

Recent work by Mike Blust suggests that this species is not found in New England.

Habitat

A variety of wetlands including ponds (often temporary), marshes, bogs, and sluggish streams. Often in fields and clearings far from water. (1)

Season

Late summer - fall

Food

predaceous on other insects

See Also

Cherry-faced Meadowhawk - Males in the east can only be distinguished by the shape of the hamuli; a ventral view is the best for distinguishing them, as the shape of the dorsolateral lobe is the most noticeable difference (roughly triangular in shape on Cherry-faced, scoop-shaped on Ruby). Females can be distinguished by a close-up view of the subgenital plates.

White-faced Meadowhawk - Males distinguished by clean white face (Ruby Meadowhawks can have a dirty white face, but it is never bright, clean white like on White-faced). Females can only be distinguished by a close-up view of the subgenital plates.

Print References

"Stokes Beginner's Guide to Dragonflies", pages 144-145 (1)

Works Cited

1.	Stokes Beginner's Guide to Dragonflies Donald and Lillian Stokes. 2002. Little, Brown and Company.

Contributed by Tony DiTerlizzi on 24 July, 2004 - 5:21pm
Additional contributions by Tony-2, Nick Block
Last updated 24 August, 2017 - 8:52am

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:

Printer Friendly Version