The meadowhawks (genus Sympetrum) are small skimmers of mid-late summer and early fall. Wisconsin hosts 8 species and although most are common, they can be extremely difficult to tell apart, especially without capture. Coloration on the face, legs, and wing veins are important for identification, but even with good photos a conclusive ID may be impossible. The Black Meadowhawk is an exception because it is the only species in which mature males lack red (all black, including face). Females and juveniles show (1) a complex "ladder" pattern of black and yellow markings on the thorax and (2) a dark abdomen with paired, pale yellow top-spots along its entire length. This is an uncommon to rare species found in late summer and early fall (Aug-Sept) at marsh or bog ponds primarily in northern Wisconsin. I found only one individual in 2008 and it was one of the last dragonflies I saw all year.