Autumn Meadowhawk Sympetrum vicinum (Hagen, 1861)  Synonyms: Yellow-legged Meadowhawk.
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Arthropoda   >   Class Insecta   >   Order Odonata   >   Family Libellulidae   >   Genus Sympetrum   

Status:

Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum) is a common late-season dragonfly found throughout Maryland. This is one of the most cold-hardy dragonflies in North America, frequently persisting into November or December during milder weather in this latitude, provided nights don't drop far below freezing. This dragonfly is usually found in permanent bodies of water, often near wooded habitats (Paulson, 2011). This is an abundant species in fall, and is recorded from all counties in Maryland (Richard Orr's The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Maryland and the District of Columbia).

Description:

Formerly named Yellow-legged Meadowhawk, and generally the only red dragonfly with pale legs in Maryland.

There are 574 records in the project database.

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A male Autumn Meadowhawk in Baltimore Co., Maryland (9/19/2014). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

A male Autumn Meadowhawk in Baltimore City, Maryland (10/31/2006). Determined by Cliff Bernzweig/BugGuide. Photo by Thomas Wilson. (MBP list)

A male Autumn Meadowhawk in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/30/2014). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

An Autumn Meadowhawk in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (9/30/2007). Autumn Meadowhawks can be easily identified because they are the only meadowhawks with yellow legs. They are also one of the latest flying dragonflies, often persisting into late fall. Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

An Autumn Meadowhawk in Harford Co., Maryland (10/25/2014). Photo by Matthew Addicks. (MBP list)

A female Autumn Meadowhawk in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/30/2014). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

An Autumn Meadowhawk in Howard Co., Maryland (7/29/2017). Photo by Anthony VanSchoor. (MBP list)

An Autumn Meadowhawk in Frederick Co., Maryland (8/5/2013). Photo by Richard Orr. (MBP list)

An Autumn Meadowhawk in Baltimore Co., Maryland (11/15/2015). Photo by Kye Jenkins. (MBP list)

Autumn Meadowhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/29/2016). Photo by Barbara Thurlow. (MBP list)

An Autumn Meadowhawk in Montgomery Co., Maryland (10/25/2014). Photo by Steve Scholnick. (MBP list)

An Autumn Meadowhawk in Howard Co., Maryland (7/29/2017). Photo by Anthony VanSchoor. (MBP list)

An Autumn Meadowhawk at Jug Bay in Prince George's Co., Maryland (11/5/2005) Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

An Autumn Meadowhawk found encased in ice in Howard Co., Maryland (11/24/2013). Photo by Bonnie Ott. (MBP list)


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