This is a small, mostly red meadowhawk approximately 1 1/4 inches or 32 mm in length. Males have red eyes that shade to dull green below. They have a reddish face, and a bright red thorax and abdomen. The abdomen has prominent black triangles along the sides. The legs are black. The wings are clear and may be yellow-orange at the base. The wings have two-toned stigmas which are red in the center and yellowish at each end. Females have red-brown eyes over tan and a tan face. Thorax and abdomen are tan with the abdomen having a continuous black stripe on the sides. Her wings are more likely to have extensive orange on the base of the hindwing. A small number of females may be red on the thorax and abdomen.
This Cherry-faced Meadowhawk may be quite common in fall especially late September. Large numbers were seen around the Teaching Pond in Fontenelle Forest in September of 2012.
This meadowhawk perches on low vegetation. Mating occurs near midday. Pairs lay eggs in tandem while hovering. The female drops eggs onto permanently moist ground. Similar species are other red meadowhawks, Saffron-winged, Autumn and Ruby. None of these has the two-toned wing stigmas.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Babs Padelford.