Sympetrum madidum

(Hagen, 1861)

red-veined meadowhawk

Sympetrum madidum, the red-veined meadowhawk, is a medium-sized in the Libellulidae. It is distinguished from by gold to red clouding of its wings and red wing . The ranges across western and northern North America, inhabiting shallow marshy ponds and lakes. are active from mid-June to mid-September, with some flying from April through September.

Sympetrum madidum by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Sympetrum madidum Meadowhawk 02-1500px by wikipedia. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.5 license.Sympetrum madidum Meadowhawk 01-1500px by Lea Maimone. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.5 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sympetrum madidum: /sɪmˈpɛtrəm məˈdɪdəm/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other Sympetrum by gold to red clouding of wings and red wing . Similar to cardinal meadowhawk (Sympetrum illotum), which has black at the wing bases, no black underside, and reddish legs. Naiads are extremely difficult to distinguish from striped meadowhawk (Sympetrum pallipes) naiads.

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Habitat

Shallow, marshy ponds and lakes. Naiads live in debris on the bottom of ponds and lakes and can develop in ephemeral sites.

Distribution

North America: western United States (Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming) and Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Yukon).

Seasonality

Commonly active mid-June to mid-September; also reported flying from April to September in some areas.

Diet

feed on soft-bodied flying insects including mosquitoes, flies, small , mayflies, and flying ants or . Naiads feed on aquatic insects including mosquito larvae, other aquatic fly larvae, larvae, and freshwater shrimp; occasionally consume very small fish and tadpoles.

Life Cycle

: , naiad, . Female lays eggs in shallow lakes and ponds by dipping tip on water surface. Naiads emerge as adults at night.

Behavior

hunt flying insects from rocks or bare branches. Naiads are sit-and-wait that do not actively pursue prey. Adults bask on rocks to absorb heat early in the day, consistent with the name Sympetrum ('with rock').

Ecological Role

in both aquatic (naiad) and terrestrial () life stages. Naiads control of aquatic insect larvae and small aquatic organisms; adults prey on flying insects including mosquitoes.

Human Relevance

Considered beneficial due to on mosquitoes and other flying insects. Subject of citizen science monitoring through observation programs.

Similar Taxa

More Details

Conservation Status

Appears to be relatively uncommon over most of its distribution. Not the most well-known of Sympetrum .

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Sources and further reading