# Meadowhawks (*Sympetrum*) Meadowhawks are colorful dragonflies that love to fly around sunny meadows and ponds. They have big eyes and can often be seen resting on plants or flying quickly through the air. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Meadowhawks](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Darter_August_2007-20.jpg&width=800) Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Darter_August_2007-20.jpg) ## Appearance The Meadowhawks is a genus of small to medium-sized dragonflies, often recognized by their striking red or orange bodies in males and yellowish-brown bodies in females. They typically have clear or sometimes amber-tinted wings, and a relatively stout abdomen compared to other dragonflies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Sympetrum ## Interesting facts - Meadowhawk babies live underwater for months before becoming flying adults! - Some Meadowhawks migrate hundreds of miles for winter, like birds! - Their scientific name, \*Sympetrum\*, means 'with spotted wings'! - They have nearly 360-degree vision thanks to their huge, compound eyes! ## Special abilities - **Aerial Hunter:** Meadowhawks can snatch flying insects right out of the air because of their excellent eyesight and agile flight, helping them catch fast-moving prey. - **Sun Controller:** Meadowhawks can control their body temperature by angling their bodies towards or away from the sun, helping them stay active in various conditions. - **Underwater Ninja:** Meadowhawk nymphs can blend into their aquatic surroundings because of their drab coloration and flattened bodies, helping them hide from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 40-70 mm - **Size:** 25-45 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 35 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Meadowhawks are expert hunters, eating all sorts of small flying insects. - **Age differences:** Nymphs eat aquatic insects, while adults eat flying insects caught in the air. - **Primary Foods:** Mosquitoes, Gnats, Flies, Moths, Small butterflies - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Mosquito (*Aedes aegypti*) — Adult Meadowhawks eat mosquitoes. - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Adult Meadowhawks prey on house flies. - **Eaten by:** Bullfrog (*Rana catesbeiana*) — Bullfrogs will eat adult Meadowhawks. - **Eaten by:** [American Kestrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-kestrel) (*Falco sparverius*) — Kestrels hunt Meadowhawks as prey. ## 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. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [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 Be careful not to touch them, as they are delicate and can fly away quickly. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Meadowhawks? 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 Meadowhawks's wingspan? 40-70 mm ### How big is Meadowhawks? 25-45 mm ### How long does Meadowhawks live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Meadowhawks fly? 35 km/h ### What does Meadowhawks eat? Meadowhawks are expert hunters, eating all sorts of small flying insects. ### Where is Meadowhawks usually found? Wetlands ### How does Meadowhawks hunt? Pursuit ## 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: [Meadowhawks: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/meadowhawks)