Sympetrum semicinctumn (Band-winged
Meadowhawk)
(Formerly Sympetrum occidentale, the Western Meadowhawk,
which is now considered part of a transcontinental species, S.
semicinctumn BC conservation rank: S5. Yellow List.
Description: Distinguishable from others by the wide band of yellow
or brown on the basal half of the wings. The yellowish face darkens to brown
with age; the yellow-to-brown thorax has dark lines, thickest around the leg
bases; the legs are black. The abdomen has black side stripes against brown on
immatures, red on mature males and either colour on mature females. Hamule,
fig. 19f; vulvar lamina a short, shallow trough. Length: male 36 mm, female 34
mm.
Global Range: Southern British Columbia east to Nova Scotia,
south to Alabama, New Mexico and California. Western forms range from southern
British Columbia and Alberta east to Minnesota and south to California, New
Mexico and Missouri (Needham et al. 2000). Faunal element: Transition
(see Appendix 2).
BC Distribution:
Widespread south of 52°N. Not known from the northern study area but to be
looked for in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region.
Biology: Not as common
as some of its relatives, but lives in a variety of ponds, marshes and lakes,
especially shallow, grassy or reedy places (e.g., Wm04-07). Foragers and
mating pairs often wander well away from water in open country.
BC
flight period: mid June to mid October; all records are from late June to
early October.
Sympetrum
semicinctumn male. Photograph: George Doerksen, RBCM
Sympetrum semicinctum
Map 1. Geographical distribution and seasonal abundance of records in
British Columbia.
Sympetrum semicinctum
Map 2. Geographical distribution of records in British Columbia before and
after organized surveys began in 1996.
Sympetrum
semicinctum Map 3. Frequency of records in British Columbia by NTS
1/50,000 mapsheet.
Sympetrum
semicinctum Map 4. Frequency of collection localities in British Columbia
by NTS 1/50,000 mapsheet. |
