# Variegated Meadowhawk (*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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Meadowhawk ![Variegated Meadowhawk](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Variegated_Meadowhawk_%28Sympetrum_corruptum%29_dragonfly%252C_female_%285070363690%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Steve Berardi from Long Beach, CA, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Variegated_Meadowhawk_%28Sympetrum_corruptum%29_dragonfly%252C_female_%285070363690%29.jpg) ## Appearance 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Sympetrum ## Interesting facts - 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! ## Special abilities - **Eagle Eyes:** Variegated Meadowhawks have huge compound eyes that provide nearly 360-degree vision, helping them spot tiny prey and predators from far away. - **Aerial Acrobat:** Variegated Meadowhawks can hover, fly backwards, and make lightning-fast turns because of their powerful, independently moving wings. - **Underwater Hunter:** Young Variegated Meadowhawks, called nymphs, can breathe underwater and use a unique hinged jaw to ambush aquatic prey. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 50-70 mm - **Size:** 35-44 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding 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. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitoes, midges, flies, small moths, gnats - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Yellow Fever Mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — Adult Meadowhawks actively hunt and eat adult mosquitoes. - **Eaten by:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — Nymphs living in water are prey for various freshwater fish species. - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — Adult dragonflies are often eaten by larger amphibians near water bodies. ## 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. - [Variegated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/variegated): Pertaining to plants with leaves or petals exhibiting different colors in patches or stripes. - [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 Variegated 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 Variegated Meadowhawk's wingspan? 50-70 mm ### How big is Variegated Meadowhawk? 35-44 mm ### How long does Variegated Meadowhawk live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Variegated Meadowhawk fly? 25 km/h ### What does Variegated Meadowhawk eat? These agile hunters feast on small flying insects they snatch right out of the air! ### Where is Variegated Meadowhawk usually found? Wetlands ### How does Variegated Meadowhawk hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jasper-ridge-biological-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Lake Missoula](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-missoula) — Montana, US · Natural Landmark - [South Coast Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-coast-botanic-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Drumheller Channels National Natural Landmark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/drumheller-channels-national-natural-landmark) — Washington, US · Nature Reserve - [Elephant Butte Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elephant-butte-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Fossil Lake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fossil-lake) — Oregon, US · Natural Landmark [View all places to see Variegated Meadowhawk](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/variegated-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: [Variegated Meadowhawk: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/variegated-meadowhawk)