Blue-faced Meadowhawk
Sympetrum ambiguum
While most North American meadowhawk dragonflies have red or brown faces to match their bodies, this species is easily identified by its contrasting blue-green face.
- Scientific name
- Sympetrum ambiguum
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Odonata › Libellulidae › Sympetrum
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Wooded swamps, shaded floodplain pools, vernal woodland ponds, and adjacent forest edges
- Diet
- Carnivorous; hunts small flying insects such as mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and small moths on the wing
- Range
- Eastern United States, Midwestern United States, Southern United States
- Size
- Total body length 33–39 mm with a wingspan of 50–60 mm
- Lifespan
- up to 1 yr
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Drainage and clearing of forested wetlands, loss of vernal pools, water pollution, and broad-spectrum pesticide runoff
- Safe to approach?
- This species is completely harmless to humans. It does not sting and possesses no venom. If caught by hand, a large adult may give a weak, non-venomous pinch that rarely breaks the skin. No special precautions or medical treatments are necessary.
Sympetrum ambiguum , the blue-faced meadowhawk , is a dragonfly of the family Libellulidae.
Photo: rasamoto, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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