Sympetrum
costiferum
(Saffron-Winged Meadowhawk)
Description:
Naiad-
This is a small naiad with a maximum length of 3/4 inch (18 mm). It is mottled
green and brown in color. There are slender, slightly curved hooks along the
top of the abdomen, and the last two abdominal segments have a single, rear-facing
spine on each side.
Adult- This
is a small dragonfly with a length
of 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches (31 to 37 mm). The abdomen is quite slender.
Mature males are brownish red. The wings are translucent golden yellow. Mature
females are golden yellow. Immature
males and females are a combination
of golden yellow and light brown, and only the leading edges of the wings are
yellow.
Range:
This species is found from
southern British Columbia east to the Atlantic, extending south in the U.S.
from California east to New York. In Idaho, it is found throughout the state
at lower elevations.
Habitat:
This dragonfly can be
found near bogs, marshy ponds and lakes.
Adult Flight Season:
Early June to
late 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 submerged
vegetation. 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. Adults generally fly from early June to the end of August, and possibly
into October. The adults of this species hunt flying insects from perches on
rocks or bare branches. 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 has a high tolerance for salty or alkaline waters, thus
are very abundant in southeastern Idaho where these conditions are common.
Reproduction:
The female flies with
the male still attached after mating (a position called "in tandem") and lays
her eggs in lakes and ponds by dipping the tip her abdomen on the surface of
the water.
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.