# Band-winged Meadowhawk (*Sympetrum semicinctum*) The Band-winged Meadowhawk is a colorful dragonfly with bright red and yellow wings. They love to fly around ponds and fields, catching tiny bugs to eat. Watch them zoom and dart in the sun! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Band-winged Meadowhawk](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sympetrum_semicinctum_in_central_Connecticut%252C_2008-07-21.jpg&width=800) Photo: Sage Ross, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sympetrum_semicinctum_in_central_Connecticut%252C_2008-07-21.jpg) ## Appearance The Band-winged Meadowhawk has a distinctive amber or yellowish-orange patch at the base of its hindwings, which gives it its name. Males display a reddish abdomen, while females are more yellowish-brown. Their clear wings often have dark veins. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Sympetrum ## Interesting facts - A Band-winged Meadowhawk's eyes have thousands of tiny lenses! - Dragonflies are among the oldest winged insects on Earth! - Their larvae live underwater for months, even years, before becoming adults! - They help people by eating hundreds of mosquitoes and other pests daily! ## Special abilities - **360 Vision Scope:** Band-winged Meadowhawk can see almost all around itself because of huge compound eyes that help them spot prey and avoid predators. - **Amber Wing Flasher:** Band-winged Meadowhawk has distinctive amber wing patches that may help them signal other dragonflies during courtship. - **Aerial Acrobatics:** Band-winged Meadowhawk can fly forwards, backwards, and hover, using four strong wings that help them catch flying insects mid-air. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 40-55 mm - **Size:** 25-35 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These aerial hunters feast on small flying insects, helping to control mosquito populations near water. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat aquatic insects; adults eat flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitoes, gnats, midges, small flies, moths - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Yellow Fever Mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — Adults hunt and eat mosquitoes. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — Adult dragonflies are prey for birds. - **Eaten by:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — Larvae are food for fish. - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Frogs eat both larvae and adults. ## 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. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [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 Dragonflies are friendly and won't hurt you. Just watch them from a distance! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Band-winged 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 Band-winged Meadowhawk's wingspan? 40-55 mm ### How big is Band-winged Meadowhawk? 25-35 mm ### How long does Band-winged Meadowhawk live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Band-winged Meadowhawk fly? 20 km/h ### What does Band-winged Meadowhawk eat? These aerial hunters feast on small flying insects, helping to control mosquito populations near water. ### Where is Band-winged Meadowhawk usually found? Wetlands ### How does Band-winged Meadowhawk hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Grand Caverns](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grand-caverns) — Virginia, US · Natural Landmark - [Fort Buford](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-buford) — North Dakota, US · Historic Site - [Kokanee Creek Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kokanee-creek-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Band-winged Meadowhawk](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/band-winged-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: [Band-winged Meadowhawk: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/band-winged-meadowhawk)