Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum) is a member of the Skimmer Family of dragonflies that is commonly spotted during the fall months at many water bodies in the mid-Atlantic United States.
Male dragonflies have three terminal appendages, collectively called “claspers,” that are used to grab and hold female dragonflies during mating: an upper pair of cerci (“superior appendages”) and a lower unpaired epiproct (“inferior appendage”).
30 SEP2014 | Huntley Meadows Park | Autumn Meadowhawk (male)
Female dragonflies have a pair of cerci (superior appendages) that have little or no function.
11 NOV 2014 | Huntley Meadows Park | Autumn Meadowhawk (female)
Related Resources: Odonate Terminal Appendages.
Copyright © 2015 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Autumn Meadowhawk dragonfly, cerci, claspers, epiproct, female, Huntley Meadows Park, male, Skimmer Family, Sympetrum vicinum, terminal appendages, wildlife photography
walter sanford's photoblog 
December 31, 2015 at 4:03 am |
[…] 27 DEC 2015 | Huntley Meadows Park | Autumn Meadowhawk (male) […]
January 6, 2016 at 4:04 am |
[…] This individual is a female, as indicated by her coloration, shape of the abdomen, and terminal appendages. […]
January 8, 2016 at 4:02 am |
[…] following individual is a male Autumn Meadowhawk dragonfly (Sympetrum vicinum), perching on the leg of my Columbia convertible […]
November 5, 2016 at 4:07 am |
[…] Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Prince William County, Virginia USA. This individual is a teneral female, as indicated by its terminal […]
November 7, 2016 at 4:06 am |
[…] The first two adult Autumn Meadowhawk dragonflies (Sympetrum vicinum) of 2016 were spotted at Mason Neck West Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. Both individuals are males, as indicated by their coloration and terminal appendages. […]
November 24, 2016 at 6:16 am |
[…] 18 NOV 2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | Autumn Meadowhawk (male) […]
April 4, 2017 at 4:06 am |
[…] 25 OCT 2016 | OBNWR | Autumn Meadowhawk (mature female) […]
October 5, 2017 at 4:02 am |
[…] first individual is a male, as indicated by his terminal […]
October 25, 2017 at 4:01 am |
[…] 19 OCT 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Autumn Meadowhawk (tan female) […]
October 27, 2017 at 4:01 am |
[…] Several Autumn Meadowhawk dragonflies (Sympetrum vicinum) were spotted during a photowalk along the boardwalk in the central wetland area at Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. All of these individuals are male. […]
October 29, 2017 at 4:03 am |
[…] at Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This pair is “in wheel.” The female is the primary subject; the tip of the male’s red abdomen is the secondary […]
November 2, 2017 at 4:05 am |
[…] Recreation Area, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. All individuals featured in this photo gallery are male, as indicated by their terminal […]
November 4, 2017 at 4:03 am |
[…] Meadowood Recreation Area, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. Both pairs are “in wheel“: the male is on top; the female is on the […]
November 6, 2017 at 4:03 am |
[…] at Hidden Pond, Meadowood Recreation Area, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a male, as indicated by his terminal […]
November 8, 2017 at 4:00 am |
[…] first pair is perching on the small wooden dock at Hidden Pond: the male is on the upper-right; the female is on the […]
November 16, 2017 at 4:01 am |
[…] Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Prince William County, Virginia USA. All of these individuals are male, as indicated by their terminal […]
November 24, 2017 at 4:04 am |
[…] Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Prince William County, Virginia USA. This individual is a male, as indicated by his […]
November 26, 2017 at 4:03 am |
[…] individuals featured in this photo set are male, as indicated by their […]
December 8, 2017 at 4:05 am |
[…] 01 DEC 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Autumn Meadowhawk (female) […]
December 10, 2017 at 4:02 am |
[…] first individual is a male, as indicated by his terminal appendages. Although the male is missing one of four wings, he was […]
January 1, 2018 at 4:01 am |
[…] 09 NOV 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Autumn Meadowhawk (male) […]
January 13, 2018 at 4:00 am |
[…] near a vernal pool at Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a male, perching on a Coleman camp […]
November 28, 2018 at 4:01 am |
[…] 25 OCT 2016 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Autumn Meadowhawk (male) […]