Male  Variegated  Meadowhawk - Libellulidae  Libellulinae   Sympetrum   corruptum
Home     Butterflies     Dragonflies     Spiders     Other Insects     Photo Details     Characteristics       Utah Range Map
  


Variegated Meadowhawk
Variegated Meadowhawk
Variegated Meadowhawk


A small to medium-sized dragonfly (but large for this genus) with a length of 1 5/8 to 1 11/16 inches (39 to 42 mm). The abdomen is quite slender. Mature males have a base color of dark brownish black. Each side of the thorax may be marked with a pair of yellow spots. The abdomen is marked with an eye-catching pattern of red, pink, and golden brown. The leading edges of the wings have pinkish wing veins. Mature females are marked similarly but with less red. Immature males and females are much paler in color and are mottled with pale green, pale yellow, golden brown, and orange. The leading edges of the wings have brownish or "regular" (non-colored) veins.



Old Male Variegated Meadowhawk
old male Variegated Meadowhawk
Old Male Variegated Meadowhawk


Photo Details
Chicken Creek, Juab County, Utah - Lat 39° 28' 55.09" N,   Long 111°58' 27.63" W - Elevation  5077 feet.
1. Male Variegated Meadowhawk

Antelope Island, Davis County, Utah
1 thru 6. August  5, 2005, Antelope Island, Davis County, Utah 
7 thru 9. Old Male (note bi-colored stigma and the red in the wings) August 5, 2005, Antelope Island, Davis County, Utah
 ©Nicky Davis

Characteristics
length of 1 5/8 to 1 11/16 inches. Adult Male thorax may be marked with a pair of yellow spots. The abdomen pattern is  red, pink, and golden brown. The leading wing edges  have pinkish wing veins. Mature females  are marked similarly but with less red. Immature males and females are paler  and  mottled with pale green, pale yellow, golden brown, and orange. The leading edges of the wings have brownish  veins.

Pronunciation
lib-ell-YEW-lid-ee   sim-PEAT-rum 

Back to Top