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Sympetrum corruptum
The Variegated Meadowhawk is a colorful dragonfly that loves to fly around meadows and ponds. With its bright red and yellow colors, it is easy to spot while it dances in the air.
Habitat: Wetlands
The Variegated Meadowhawk is a medium-sized dragonfly, usually displaying a reddish-orange or yellowish body with a distinctive white stripe on its side. Its wings are clear, often with amber patches near the base. It is visually different from other meadowhawks by its variable, streaky body patterns.
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Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
8
A dragonfly's wings beat about 30 times per second, making them super fast flyers!
Dragonflies have been around for over 300 million years, even before dinosaurs roamed Earth!
They can fly in place, hovering perfectly still, like a tiny, colorful helicopter!
Young Meadowhawks live underwater for months or even years before they grow wings to fly!
Variegated Meadowhawks have huge compound eyes that provide nearly 360-degree vision, helping them spot tiny prey and predators from far away.
Variegated Meadowhawks can hover, fly backwards, and make lightning-fast turns because of their powerful, independently moving wings.
Young Variegated Meadowhawks, called nymphs, can breathe underwater and use a unique hinged jaw to ambush aquatic prey.
These agile hunters feast on small flying insects they snatch right out of the air!
Age differences: Nymphs hunt aquatic invertebrates underwater; adults hunt flying insects in the air.
Aedes aegypti
Adult Meadowhawks actively hunt and eat adult mosquitoes.

Micropterus salmoides
Nymphs living in water are prey for various freshwater fish species.

Rana catesbeiana
Adult dragonflies are often eaten by larger amphibians near water bodies.
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Pertaining to plants with leaves or petals exhibiting different colors in patches or stripes.
Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
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 animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Dragonflies are friendly and won't hurt you, but it's best to watch them from a distance.
The easiest way to identify Variegated Meadowhawk is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
50-70 mm
35-44 mm
30-60 days
25 km/h
These agile hunters feast on small flying insects they snatch right out of the air!
Wetlands
Pursuit
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
May 22, 2026
Drumheller Channels National Natural LandmarkPhoto attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.

California, US
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Montana, US
You might spot Western Ponderosa Pine and Great Horned Owl.
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California, US
You might spot Western Fence Lizard, Duck, and Black Phoebe.
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Washington, US
You might spot Red-Tailed Hawk and Colorado Checkered Whiptail.
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New Mexico, US
You might spot Pyrrhuloxia, Curve-Billed Thrasher, and Great Blue Heron.
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Oregon, US
You might spot Granite Prickly Phlox, Red-Tailed Hawk, and Pronghorn.
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