About Sympetrum semicinctum (Say, 1840)
Sympetrum semicinctum (Say, 1840) reaches a body length of 28–36 millimetres (1.1–1.4 in) and has a wingspan of 45–55 millimetres (1.8–2.2 in). Males of this species have a bright red abdomen with black markings on the lower sides and on the top of abdominal segments 8 and 9, which form a U-shaped pattern. Their thorax is brownish red, with three irregular black stripes along its sides. The face and eyes are dark red, and the legs are black. Hindwings have a rusty patch at the base that covers one-third of the wing, while front wings are almost completely transparent. The pterostigma is blackish red. Females are primarily greenish-yellow or orange, have red over green coloration on their eyes, and display extended blackish markings on the abdomen. Mature females sometimes develop red coloration matching males, while immature males are yellow like females and gradually gain their mature red coloration. This species is native to Canada and the continental United States, occurring across the continent from coast to coast. In Canada, it is present in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec, and Saskatchewan. In the United States, it can be found in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. This dragonfly is typically found perching on vegetation along meadow edges, in weedy ponds, marshes, and lakes, and also occurs in hilly or mountainous areas.
