Black Meadowhawk (Sympetrum danae) lives in ponds and lakes across Northern Europe, Asia, and North America. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Black Meadowhawk
- Measuring just 29-34 mm in length with hindwings of 20-30 mm, this dragonfly is Britain's smallest resident species. Its tiny frame places it among the smallest members of the Sympetrum genus, a group otherwise known for larger darters. The compact body and short wings give it a weak, fluttering flight compared with its relatives, yet it still manages to patrol the heathland bogs where it lives.
- Male black meadowhawks are entirely black, lacking any red markings that colour other Sympetrum species. The male's thorax and abdomen are mainly black, and while younger males show three diagonal yellow side-bars that darken with age, fully mature individuals become uniformly dark. This absence of red makes the species instantly recognisable among its colourful relatives and highlights its unique position within the genus.
- After the female dips the tip of her abdomen into shallow acidic pools to lay eggs, the embryos hatch the following spring and the larvae grow extremely quickly, sometimes leaving the water after just two months. These rapid developers then emerge as adults that can be seen from mid-June through mid-November. Their numbers peak between mid-July and mid-September, coinciding with the height of summer activity on moorland bogs.
- On day 189 of its development the black meadowhawk embryo performs a dramatic 180-degree flip, marking the sixth stage of growth. This re-orientation follows earlier changes such as yolk alteration on day four and visible germ plate on day eight. The seventh stage arrives on day 197, when development is complete, and the adult finally emerges after a total of 217 days from oviposition.
- Male black meadowhawks are known to travel far from the shallow acidic pools where they breed, often appearing well away from suitable habitat. Their flight is described as weak and fluttering compared with other darters, yet they employ two distinct styles: a search flight used in the mornings while looking for mates and a patrol flight later in the day.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
At a glance
RangeNorthern Europe, Asia, and North America
HabitatPonds and lakes
DietInsects and larvae
About the Black Meadowhawk
As the sun casts its warm glow over the tranquil meadow, the Black Meadowhawk emerges, its sleek, ebony body glinting with an air of mystery. With agile, darting movements, it dances through the air, its iridescent blue markings flashing like sapphires as it pursues its prey with lightning-fast reflexes. In this serene landscape, the Black Meadowhawk reigns as a master of stealth and speed, its very existence a testament to the beauty and wonder of the natural world.
Hear the Black Meadowhawk, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
More insects and spiders to discover
