This is a small dragonfly, approximately 1.3 inches or 33 mm in length. The adult male has a white face and bright red on the thorax and abdomen. The abdomen has prominent black triangles on the sides. The eyes are red-brown over pale green or gray. The legs are black. The wings are clear with black veins. The female has a white to cream-colored face. The thorax is brown in front and tan on the sides. The abdomen is yellow-tan with prominent black triangles along the side. The eyes are brown over pale green. The individual shown in photo 1 is an immature male. Immature males and females have brighter coloration on the side of the thorax than other similar meadowhawks (Cherry-faced and Ruby). Males have a more slender abdomen than females.
This is an uncommon meadowhawk that can be found sitting on the tips of low weeds near streams and marshes. The individual shown here was photographed along South Stream trail in Fontenelle Forest in early June.
The male either flies in tandem with the female or hover-guards her while she lays eggs. The female drops her eggs on mud among shore grass or into the water among emergent vegetation.
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