# Cardinal Meadowhawk (*Sympetrum illotum*) The Cardinal Meadowhawk is a bright red dragonfly that loves to fly around ponds and marshes. They are fun to watch as they dart and hover in the air, catching tiny insects. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Cardinal Meadowhawk](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Dragonfly's_Meal.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ingrid Taylar, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dragonfly's_Meal.jpg) ## Appearance The Cardinal Meadowhawk is a striking dragonfly, with males boasting a vibrant, fiery red body and face. Females are typically yellowish-brown with subtle red markings. Both sexes have clear wings, often with a faint amber patch at the base, distinguishing them from other meadowhawk species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Sympetrum ## Interesting facts - A Cardinal Meadowhawk can catch its insect prey right in the air, without ever slowing down! - Baby meadowhawks live underwater for years, breathing through gills before they fly! - Dragonflies have been soaring the skies since before the dinosaurs roamed Earth! - They are expert flyers, capable of hovering perfectly still like a miniature helicopter! ## Special abilities - **Aerial Acrobat:** Cardinal Meadowhawks can fly forwards, backwards, and hover because of their powerful, independently moving wings that helps them hunt. - **360-Degree Vision:** Cardinal Meadowhawks have enormous compound eyes that helps them spot tiny prey and predators in all directions at once. - **Underwater Ninja:** Cardinal Meadowhawk larvae are aquatic predators with a special hinged jaw that helps them ambush prey underwater. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 50-65 mm - **Size:** 30-45 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These flying hunters eat small insects like mosquitoes, catching them in mid-air! - **Age differences:** Larvae eat aquatic insects; adults hunt flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitoes, gnats, flies, small moths, midges - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Common House Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — eats adult mosquitoes - **Hunts:** Lake Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — larvae eat midge larvae - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — adults are prey for frogs - **Hunts:** Mosquitofish (*Gambusia affinis*) — eats dragonfly larvae ## 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, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cardinal 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 Cardinal Meadowhawk's wingspan? 50-65 mm ### How big is Cardinal Meadowhawk? 30-45 mm ### How long does Cardinal Meadowhawk live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Cardinal Meadowhawk fly? 25 km/h ### What does Cardinal Meadowhawk eat? These flying hunters eat small insects like mosquitoes, catching them in mid-air! ### Where is Cardinal Meadowhawk usually found? Wetlands ### How does Cardinal Meadowhawk hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Berry Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berry-botanic-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/e-e-wilson-wildlife-area) — Oregon, US · Nature Reserve - [Regional Parks Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/regional-parks-botanic-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Sonoma Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sonoma-botanical-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/point-defiance-zoo-and-aquarium) — Washington, US · Zoo - [Bellevue Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bellevue-botanical-garden) — Washington, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Cardinal Meadowhawk](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cardinal-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: [Cardinal Meadowhawk: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cardinal-meadowhawk)