# Autumn Meadowhawk (*Sympetrum vicinum*) The Autumn Meadowhawk is a colorful dragonfly that loves to fly around in the fall. With its bright red body and clear wings, it can be seen near ponds and marshes, making it a fun friend to spot! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Autumn Meadowhawk](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Red_S_vicinum.jpg&width=800) Photo: Cody Hough, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red_S_vicinum.jpg) ## Appearance The Autumn Meadowhawk is a small, striking dragonfly. Males boast bright, often brilliant, red bodies and faces, with clear wings that have reddish veins at the base and distinctive yellow legs striped with black. Females are typically yellowish-brown, but also feature the characteristic striped legs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Sympetrum ## Interesting facts - Autumn Meadowhawk nymphs live underwater for months, breathing through gills just like fish! - Dragonflies existed before dinosaurs, making them truly ancient insects! - Male Autumn Meadowhawks often guard their mates, chasing away other males nearby! - They are sometimes called 'cherry-faced' dragonflies because of their bright red faces! ## Special abilities - **Aerial Acrobat:** Autumn Meadowhawk can hover and fly backwards because of its four independent wings that help them catch prey. - **Super Sight:** Autumn Meadowhawk has huge compound eyes that help them spot tiny flying insects from far away, even behind them. - **Cool Start:** Autumn Meadowhawk can warm up its flight muscles by shivering its wings, helping them fly on cooler autumn days. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 40-55 mm - **Size:** 28-36 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These aerial hunters feast on tiny flying insects, helping to control mosquito populations! - **Age differences:** Nymphs hunt aquatic insects and tadpoles underwater, while adults hunt flying insects in the air. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitoes, gnats, midges, flies, small moths - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Yellow Fever Mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — Adults expertly snatch mosquitoes from the air. - **Eaten by:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — Fish prey on meadowhawk nymphs living in the water. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — Birds often catch adult dragonflies over meadows. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch dragonflies from a distance and do not try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Autumn Meadowhawk? Compare wing shape and resting posture, where the eyes sit, body markings and the tail segments. Males and females can look very different in color. Dragonfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Autumn Meadowhawk's wingspan? 40-55 mm ### How big is Autumn Meadowhawk? 28-36 mm ### How long does Autumn Meadowhawk live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Autumn Meadowhawk fly? 15 km/h ### What does Autumn Meadowhawk eat? These aerial hunters feast on tiny flying insects, helping to control mosquito populations! ### Where is Autumn Meadowhawk usually found? Wetlands ### How does Autumn Meadowhawk hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/battle-creek-cypress-swamp-sanctuary) — Maryland, US · Nature Reserve - [Cedarville State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedarville-state-forest) — Maryland, US · Forest - [Chanticleer Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chanticleer-garden) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dubuque-arboretum-and-botanical-gardens) — Iowa, US · Botanical Garden - [Geauga Park District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/geauga-park-district) — Ohio, US · Nature Reserve - [Grundy Lake Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grundy-lake-provincial-park) — Ontario, CA · State Park [View all places to see Autumn Meadowhawk](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/autumn-meadowhawk) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Autumn Meadowhawk: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/autumn-meadowhawk)