Two of the meadowhawk (Sympetrum) species that occur in Arizona are the Black (S. danae) and the Band-winged (S. semicinctum) Meadowhawks. The Black Meadowhawk is normally found only in high boggy wetlands of the White Mountains (Apache Co.) but the Band-winged Meadowhawk has a considerably wider distribution. Mature males of the two species are readily separated from each other, but females look much alike.
Species Compared
Female Comparison
Thorax
To separate female Black from Band-winged Meadowhawk, focus on the color of the thorax and the first abdominal segments.
- Black Meadowhawk: front of thorax is rich brown, thus contrasting with yellow sides. Sides have complex pattern of yellow dots surrounded with black markings.
- Band-winged Meadowhawk: front of thorax is light brown and does not contrast markedly with yellow sides. Sides have black lines but lack the complex pattern seen in the Black Meadowhawk.
Abdomen
- Black Meadowhawk: first segments mostly yellow, lack conspicuous black lateral stripes.
- Band-winged Meadowhawk: first segments have conspicuous black lateral stripes.
Lateral view of female Black Meadowhawk, Sympetrum danae, AZ.
Lateral view of female Band-winged Meadowhawk, Sympetrum semicinctum, AZ.