Cherry-faced Meadowhawk - Male

- No description given -

comments (4)

WildFlower

Lion

As the name suggests, the Yellow-legged Meadowhawk has yellow legs while this one has black legs. Here's a choice of similar species.
http://www.nmbnaturephotography.com/dragonflies/dragonflies/meadowhawks/ Posted 10 years ago
1. travismorhardt
  
  Lion
  
  I thought maybe it was an immature specimen, but after looking more closely at the photo, the face does seem to be lighter than the rest of the body. This made me think it could be a white-faced meadowhawk. With further research, the white-faced meadowhawk is the only other meadowhawk found in the Yellowstone area. Thank you for your insight, WildFlower! Posted 10 years ago
2. 1. WildFlower
    
    Lion
    
    I am not sure, Travis, the face doesn't look so white. Where did you find that information about the species in the Yellowstone area? According to this distribution maps of a few similar species only the Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum internum) is found in the area you have geotagged. The Ruby Meadowhawk (Sympetrum rubicundulum) is very similar, but according to the distribution map it is spread further south.
    http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/insects/dfly/wy/412.htm
    http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/insects/dfly/wy/415.htm
    http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/insects/dfly/wy/421.htm
    http://www.americaninsects.net/d/sympetrum-obtrusum.html
    http://www.dragonhunter.net/symp_internum_m.html
    http://www.dragonhunter.net/s_internum_f.html
    http://www.dragonhunter.net/symp_internum_m2.html
    http://www.dragonhunter.net/symp_rubicundulum_m.html
    www.americaninsects.net/d/sympetrum-rubicundulum.html
    http://museum.unl.edu/research/entomology/Odonata/syru.html Posted 10 years ago, modified 10 years ago
  2. 1. travismorhardt
      
      Lion
      
      I had previously found a site that showed the cardinal, white-faced and yellow-legged meadowhawks being in YNP. However, I cannot find it again now. Although records do not show confirmed sightings of the white-faced or ruby meadowhawks in YNP, it doesn't necessarily mean they are not there. But I had not even seen photos (knowingly) of the cherry-faced meadowhawk, and it does seem to fit the bill better than the rest.
      
      As always, thank you for your tireless efforts! It really is great to have you around to make sure we are all on par with our species ID! (I really mean that in the best way possible!) Posted 10 years ago

The Cherry-faced Meadowhawk

The Cherry-faced Meadowhawk is a dragonfly of the genus ''Sympetrum''. It is found across northern and central United States and most of Canada, including southern portions of the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

Info 8 0

Similar species: Dragonflies And Damselflies

Species identified by travismorhardt

By travismorhardt

Uploaded Aug 10, 2014. Captured Aug 3, 2014 14:10 in Slough Creek Campground Road, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA.

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NIKON D3300
f/5.6
10/10000s
ISO200
300mm

Captured in the summer. More summer photos.

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