Sympetrum
(Tarnetrum) illotum
(Cardinal Meadowhawk)
Description:
Naiad-
This is a small naiad with a length of 3/4 inch (18 mm). It is mottled green
and brown in color, and the abdomen is marked along the top with a pair of stripes.
While the naiads of many dragonfly species are equipped with hooks and/or spines
on the abdominal segments, the naiads of this species may have only one tiny,
rear-facing spine on each side of abdominal segment eight or else no hooks or
spines at all.
Adult- This
is a small dragonfly (but large for a Sympetrum) with a length
of 1 1/2 to 1 5/8 inches (38 to 40 mm). The abdomen is broad and has the same
width along its length, in contrast
to the other members of its genus. Mature males are bright red on the face,
thorax, and abdomen. Each side of the thorax may be marked with a pair of yellow
spots. The wings have some red veins along the leading edge and are clouded
with brown near the body. Females
are brownish red and the wings may
appear translucent golden brown. Immature males are brown instead of red and
the spots on the thorax are white rather than yellow.
Range:
This species is found from
southern British Columbia down the west coast of the U.S. all the way to Chile
and Argentina in South America. In Idaho, it occurs in the northern half of
the state.
Habitat:
This dragonfly can be
found near ponds and lakes.
Adult Flight Season:
Mid-May to mid-August
Diet:
Naiad-
Naiads feed on a wide variety of aquatic insects, such as mosquito larvae, other
aquatic fly larvae, mayfly larvae, and freshwater shrimp. They will also eat
very small fish and tadpoles.
Adult-
The dragonfly will eat almost any soft-bodied flying insect including mosquitoes,
flies, small moths, mayflies, and flying ants or termites.
Ecology:
The naiads live in debris
on the bottom of ponds and lakes. They do not actively pursue prey but wait
for it to pass by, a strategy which affords them protection from other predators.
Naiads emerge as adults at night. Although records for Idaho are sparse, the
adults are believed to fly from mid-May to mid-August. Hunting occurs from perches
on rocks or bare branches. This species has a characteristic perching posture,
allowing their wings to droop below their thorax. The Latin name for this genus,
Sympetrum, means "with rock" and refers to their habit of basking on rocks to
absorb heat early in the day. This species is one of the first dragonflies to
emerge each year.
Reproduction:
After males females
mate, the female typically flies alone, without the male attached, to lay her
eggs in lakes and ponds. She does this by dipping the tip her abdomen on the
surface of the water. Occasionally the female flies with the male still attached
after mating (a position called "in tandem").
Conservation:
Populations
are widespread, abundant, and secure.
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Global Rank: | G5 |
State Rank: | S? |
References:
Corbet, P. S. 1999.
Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata. Cornell University Press, Ithaca,
New York, USA, 829pp.
Logan, E. R. 1967. The Odonata of Idaho. Unpublished M. S. thesis. University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA, 105 pp.
Needham, J. G. and M. J. Westfall. 1955. Dragonflies of North America. University of California Press, Berkely, California, USA, 615 pp.
Paulson, D. R. 1999. Dragonflies of Washington. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle, Washington, USA, 32 pp.
Walker, E. M. and P. S. Corbet. 1975. The Odonata of Canada and Alaska, Vol. III. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 307 pp.