# Saffron-winged Meadowhawk (*Sympetrum costiferum*) The Saffron-winged Meadowhawk is a beautiful dragonfly with bright yellow wings. It loves to fly around sunny meadows and ponds, catching tiny bugs to eat. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Saffron-winged Meadowhawk](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Saffron-winged_Meadowhawk%252C_male.jpg&width=800) Photo: D. Gordon E. Robertson, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saffron-winged_Meadowhawk%252C_male.jpg) ## Appearance The Saffron-winged Meadowhawk has a slender body, rusty brown thorax, and a yellow to reddish-brown abdomen with black markings. Its distinguishing feature is the vibrant saffron or amber patch at the base of its clear wings, especially prominent on the hindwings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Sympetrum ## Interesting facts - An adult Meadowhawk can eat hundreds of mosquitoes in just one day! - Dragonflies are one of Earth's oldest insects, flying for millions of years! - Dragonfly nymphs live underwater for years before becoming adults! - Their powerful wings beat up to 30 times a second for amazing flight. ## Special abilities - **Acrobatic Ace:** Saffron-winged Meadowhawk can fly forwards, backwards, and hover because of four independently moving wings that help them navigate expertly. - **Hunter's Gaze:** Saffron-winged Meadowhawk has huge compound eyes that help them spot tiny insect prey from far away with incredible detail. - **Aquatic Assassin:** Young Saffron-winged Meadowhawks (nymphs) can breathe underwater using gills that help them hunt other aquatic creatures. - **Instant Grabber:** Saffron-winged Meadowhawk can catch flying insects mid-air using its basket-like legs that help them scoop up prey. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 50-65 mm - **Size:** 32-40 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These agile hunters feast on tiny flying insects and, as youngsters, on critters underwater! - **Age differences:** Nymphs live underwater, preying on aquatic insects and tadpoles. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitoes, flies, gnats, small moths, midges - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Yellow fever mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — Helps control mosquito populations near water sources. - **Eaten by:** House fly (*Musca domestica*) — An important predator of common flying insect pests. - **Eats:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Adult meadowhawks are a food source for many bird species. - **Eats:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Frogs prey on adult and nymph stage dragonflies. - **Eaten by:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — Aquatic nymphs are a food source for fish. ## 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 Dragonflies are friendly and won't hurt you, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Saffron-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 Saffron-winged Meadowhawk's wingspan? 50-65 mm ### How big is Saffron-winged Meadowhawk? 32-40 mm ### How long does Saffron-winged Meadowhawk live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Saffron-winged Meadowhawk fly? 25 km/h ### What does Saffron-winged Meadowhawk eat? These agile hunters feast on tiny flying insects and, as youngsters, on critters underwater! ### Where is Saffron-winged Meadowhawk usually found? Wetlands ### How does Saffron-winged Meadowhawk 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: [Saffron-winged Meadowhawk: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/saffron-winged-meadowhawk)