Ruby Meadowhawk Dragonfly – Sympetrum rubicundulum
The dragonflies in the genus Sympetrum are known as meadowhawks.
They are some of the most common dragonflies in the meadows and fields near the west branch of the DuPage River in northern Illinois.
The white on the underside of this dragonfly (above) is a waxy / powdery coating most often seen in mature adults. It often covers the abdomen, thorax, and in some cases, wings. Such surfaces are referred to as pruinose. The word comes from the Latin prunsus, frosty, from pruna, hoarfrost.
Meadowhawks often bask with their wings held forward, with their abdomens pointing into the wind, much as a primitive weather vane.
The meadowhawks are also, in my experience, some of the least wary of the Odonates – they will sometimes perch on me or even let me pick them up on a careful finger.
Order Odonata / Suborder Anisoptera / Family: Libellulidae (Skimmers)
This female has 3 different types of mites hitchhiking under her thorax.
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Tree Encyclopedia / North American Insects & Spiders
Online since 2002
