Blue-Faced Meadowhawk
ExploreInsects
Blue-Faced Meadowhawk
sympetrum ambiguum
The Blue-Faced Meadowhawk is a colorful dragonfly that loves to flutter around ponds and grassy areas. With its bright blue face and red body, it's like a little flying jewel in nature!
Habitat: They live near ponds, marshes, and grassy fields.
Appearance
The Blue-Faced Meadowhawk has a striking blue face, or frons, which contrasts with its reddish-brown body. Its clear wings may show a subtle amber tint at the base, and mature males often display brighter red abdominal markings, making them visually distinct.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyLibellulidaeGenusSympetrum
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A Blue-Faced Meadowhawk larva lives underwater for months, breathing through gills in its tail!
Their huge eyes are made of thousands of tiny lenses, giving them incredible vision to hunt fast!
These dragonflies can fly backward, sideways, and hover perfectly still, like a tiny helicopter!
When it's cold, they shiver their flight muscles to warm up, just like we do to stay warm!
Special abilities
Ability
Acrobatic Flight
The Blue-Faced Meadowhawk can quickly change direction mid-air because of its independently moving wings, helping it catch prey.
Ability
Super Sight
The Blue-Faced Meadowhawk has nearly 360-degree vision from its large compound eyes that helps them spot tiny insects from far away.
Ability
Predator Evasion
The Blue-Faced Meadowhawk can detect sudden movements with its keen vision, allowing it to quickly escape from approaching predators.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 45-55 mm
- Size
- 28-36 mm
- Lifespan
- 30-90 days
- Flight Speed
- 35 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
These aerial hunters feast on small flying insects caught with incredible skill in mid-air!
Age differences: Larvae hunt aquatic insects underwater, while adults catch flying insects in the air.
Primary Foods
- Mosquitoes
- Midges
- Flies
- Gnats
- Small moths
Foraging Method
- Pursuit
Ecological connections
eaten by
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Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
Adult dragonflies are a common prey for this acrobatic bird.
eaten by
American Bullfrog
Lithobates catesbeianus
Tadpoles and adult dragonflies are both on this frog's menu.
hunts
Common House Mosquito
Culex pipiens
Actively preys on these common biting insects, helping control numbers.
eats
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Larval dragonflies are a food source for many freshwater fish.
hunts
Lake Midge
Chironomus plumosus
Consumes large numbers of these small flies near water bodies.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
Blue-faced DragonflyBlue-faced SkimmerRed Meadowhawk
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Blue-Faced Meadowhawk's wingspan?
45-55 mm
How big is Blue-Faced Meadowhawk?
28-36 mm
How long does Blue-Faced Meadowhawk live?
30-90 days
How fast can Blue-Faced Meadowhawk fly?
35 km/h
What does Blue-Faced Meadowhawk eat?
These aerial hunters feast on small flying insects caught with incredible skill in mid-air!
Where is Blue-Faced Meadowhawk usually found?
They live near ponds, marshes, and grassy fields.
How does Blue-Faced Meadowhawk hunt?
Pursuit
How many legs does Blue-Faced Meadowhawk have?
6
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