Dragonfly Photography
Saffron-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum costiferum) How to Identify
By Bob Danley
September 9, 2021
Key field marks to observe for adult male: Eyes/face = red Legs = bi-colored black/tan Thorax = plain, brownish-red Wings = leading edges yellowish-orange Abdomen = red w/black marks atop segments 8,9
Magnified look at adult male: Face/eyes are red Legs front=black, rear=tan Thorax no discernible pattern, is brownish-red
Adult male wings: 1) Leading edges of all wings strongly yellowish-orange. Balance of wing veins similar color, of lesser saturation. 2) Stigma red w/strong black borders
Adult male abdomen: 1) lacks black triangles on sides. Instead thin line of black low on sides. 2) black spot atop segment 9 and sometimes 8 also.
Adult female (body variable): Eyes/face = dull red Legs = bicolored, black/tan Thorax = orange-yellow Wings = leading edge, stigma saffron colored Abdomen = yellow-orange
Adult female: Eyes mostly dull red Face tan Legs bicolored black/tan Thorax plain and tan color
Adult female wings: 1) leading edges saffron colored. Balance of wing veins similar color, less intense 2) stigma colored yellow
Adult female abdomen: 1) mostly tan 2) dark spot atop segment 8 & 9 3) thin black line low on sides
Example 1: adult female color variation of thorax and abdomen. Spectrum of tones from yellow-orange to tan to red. This case-yellow thorax, tan abdomen
Example 2: adult female color variation of thorax and abdomen. Spectrum of tones from yellow-orange to tan to red. This case-yellow-orange abdomen grading to tan thorax.
Example 3: adult female color variation of thorax and abdomen. Spectrum of tones from yellow-orange to tan to red. This case-tan abdomen with red tones; thorax is tan.
Example 4: adult female color variation of thorax and abdomen. Spectrum of tones from yellow-orange to tan to red. This case-red abdomen with tan thorax.
Example 5: adult female color variation of thorax and abdomen. Spectrum of tones from yellow-orange to tan to red. This case-dark yellow-orange color on abdomen, thorax.