Stats

Lifespan: About a year
Size: Large
Diet: Insectivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Freshwater wetland
Range: North America
Movement: Flight
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Speed
Status: Common

About

The Variegated Meadowhawk is one of North America's most widespread dragonflies, recognized by the male's vivid red-and-yellow mottling that deepens with age. Uniquely among meadowhawks, it undertakes seasonal migrations — sometimes appearing hundreds of miles from the nearest water.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A small egg is laid on or near the larval food source and hatches within days or weeks.
2.
juvenile
An immature insect feeds and molts, growing through successive instars.
3.
subadult
A near-adult insect has wing buds or near-mature form, one molt away from full size.
4.
adult
Fully grown, with full wings and adult coloration.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Sympetrum
Species: Sympetrum corruptum