Meadowhawks are among our most common dragonflies, with more than a 50 species found world-wide, 15
in North America, ten in California. All meadowhawks belong to genus Sympetrum, one of several
genera in the family Libellullidae, a family that includes skimmers, saddlebags, whitetails and dashers.
Meadowhawks are fairly small dragonflies. Males spend less time on the wing than their larger cousins
in the Skimmer family, and are often seen perching around pond margins. Females spend their maturing
weeks foraging over fields and open places, avoiding the ponds until they are ready to mate.
Mating may take place on the wing, or coupled pairs may seek perches (see photos). Males typically
guard fertilized females while they're ovipositing. Many species oviposit in tandem; this ensures the
continuation of their genes rather than those of other males (see Dawkins, "The Selfish Gene").
Variegated Meadowhawks have distinct markings; the lavender eyes of the females are particularly
striking. The Bay Area appears to have both resident and migratory populations of Variegateds; our
other Sympetrum species are all resident.
