Overview
The Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum), historically called the Yellow-legged Meadowhawk, is an extraordinarily hardy and vibrant dragonfly celebrated across North America as the last flying dragonfly of the year. While virtually all other dragonflies perish with the first frosts of autumn, this brilliant ruby-red flyer persists through freezing November mornings and light snow flurries, basking on sunny rocks and tree trunks long after autumn leaves have fallen.
Biology and Physical Characteristics
Sympetrum vicinum is a small, compact skimmer dragonfly. Mature males develop an intense, glowing scarlet-red abdomen, a warm reddish-brown thorax, and a matching bright red face and eyes. Females and immatures are warm golden-brown to amber. Unlike other red meadowhawks whose legs are entirely jet-black, the Autumn Meadowhawk is uniquely identified by its entirely pale yellow, tan, or greenish-brown legs.
Behavior and Ecology
A dedicated sun-basker, the Autumn Meadowhawk thermoregulates by perching flat against warm, south-facing tree bark, fence rails, or pale rocks, absorbing solar warmth to keep its flight muscles active in cold air temperatures down to 40°F (4°C). In late autumn, pairs fly in tandem over shallow, marshy pond edges, with the female dipping the tip of her abdomen into shallow water or wet moss to deposit winter-hardy eggs.
Conservation and Human Impact
Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, the Autumn Meadowhawk is abundant and ecologically beneficial throughout its vast continent-wide distribution, consuming countless agricultural pests and nuisance mosquitoes during its long autumn flight period.
Interesting Factoid
The Autumn Meadowhawk is North America’s cold-weather champion dragonfly: it can fly in near-freezing temperatures and is regularly observed buzzing over sunny ponds in late November and early December after snow has fallen.