Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 1428274

White-faced Meadowhawk

Sympetrum obtrusum

White-faced meadowhawks dart through marshy meadows and sunny field edges across northern North America, hunting flying insects on the wing. Mature males sport a striking porcelain-white face that contrasts vividly against their scarlet abdomen, while females and young display warm golden-brown tones. They frequently return to the exact same sunlit twig or grass stalk between short hunting sallies, making them rewarding subjects for patient observers.

DragonflyPercherLate Summer
White-faced Meadowhawk reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Lauren McLaurin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Mosquitoes
  • Midges
  • Small flies
Predators
  • Birds
  • Frogs
  • Larger dragonflies
ThreatsWetland loss, water contamination, and invasive aquatic plants
HabitatsPonds, marshes, bogs, wet meadows, and slow streams
Life span1 to 2 months as adult; up to 1 year as nymph
Classification
  1. OrderOdonata
  2. FamilyLibellulidae
  3. GenusSympetrum
  4. SpeciesSympetrum obtrusum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Approach Slowly: Move cautiously near perch sites on sunny afternoons to avoid startling them into flight.
  • Look at the Face: Check for the stark white face to distinguish mature males from other red meadowhawks.
  • Scan Low Vegetation: Search along marsh edges and tall grasses where individuals rest between hunting sallies.
Related species
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Found in Collections

Ecosystem chain

Wetland Territory

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