Nebraska Dragonflies and Damselflies

Autumn Meadowhawk

Sympetrum vicinum

The Autumn Meadowhawk, formerly called the Yellow-legged Meadowhawk, is a slender, pale, late-flying species. It has minimal black markings and the wings are slightly amber at the bases. Males and some mature females have red abdomens. In younger individuals, the abdomen is brown. The legs are yellow, except in some mature males, which have reddish-brown legs.

Uncommon. This is a pond species with eastern and western populations.The eastern population reaches the western edge of its range inwestern Nebraska. It is a late season species and the scarcity ofrecords may just reflect the absence of collecting when the speciesis most abundant. Autumn and Saffron-winged are the only meadowhawks inNebraska in October and Saffron-winged is definitely more widespreadand abundant.

Photo courtesy of Loren and Babs Padelford.

Green indicates accepted county record (specimen or photograph).
Yellow indicates sight record only.