The Variegated Meadowhawk is the largest and one of the most colorful Sympetrum in Minnesota. Males are an intricate pattern of red, brown, white and a little yellow. Females are patterned with white, tan, yellow and black. Since they are migratory they are often seen early in the summer
The Variegated Meadowhawk is a migratory species. They are often seen in the spring before other species begin to emerge. In the fall western populations migrate east When not around breeding territory they often perch on the ground where they take off to catch prey
Shallow ponds, marshes, temporary pools or almost any other wetlands that is not acidic
Females lay eggs in tandem with males. The pair flies low over the water, dipping down to tap the surface multiple times then moving a short distance and tapping there
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Range maps and checklists courtesy of Odonata Central. Copyright © 2016 OdonataCentral. All Rights Reserved. Abbott, J.C. 2006-2018. OdonataCentral: An online resource for the distribution and identification of Odonata. Available at www.odonatacentral.org.