Identification criteria of dragonflies of the genus Sympetrum occurring in Michigan.
(Table from Kielb, 1996)
Scientific name	Common name	Hind Wing	Abdomen Length	Total Length	Face	Tibiae
Sympetrum ambiguum	Blue-faced Meadowfly	26-28	23-25	36-38	bluish-white	yellow
Sympetrum corruptum*	Variegated Meadowfly	29-30	29-30	39-42	red	dark
Sympetrum costiferum	Saffron-winged Meadowfly	25-28	21-26	31-37	pale	pale
Sympetrum danae**	Black Meadowfly	20-27	18-24	21-23	black	black
Sympetrum internum	Cherry-faced Meadowfly	23-27	23-27	23-36	red	black
Sympetrum obtrusum	White-faced Meadowfly	20-29	22-26	31-39	white	black
Sympetrum rubicundulum	Ruby Meadowfly	24-30	21-23	33-34	yellow	black
Sympetrum semicinctum***	Band-winged Meadowfly	18-23	16-20	24-31	yellow	black
Sympetrum vicinum	Yellow-legged Meadowfly	21-23	21-22	31-35	red	yellow
All measurements are given in mm.
*Distinctive abdominal color pattern mottled with reds and browns. **Distinctive abdominal color pattern of black and yellow. ***Hind wings banded with translucent orange/yellow.

 

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QUICK KEY

Visual key for quick tentative identification of dragonflies in the genus Sympetrum. (The final separation of many specimens in groups 5&6 still requires inspection of the genitalia.). Clicking on a link will bring up a photo of the species.

1a. Abdomen mottled in red and olive/brown......................corruptum 1b. Abdomen predominantly yellow, olive, orange, or reddish............2
2a. Abdomen color yellow and black......................................danae 2b. Abdomen reddish, orange, or olive and black.............................3
3a. Wings banded with transparent orange for half the length, basally ....................................................................semicinctum 3b. Wings unmarked...........................................................4
4a. Tibia pale or yellow..........................................................5 4b. Tibia dark or black...........................................................6
5a. Face red................................................................vicinum 5b. Face bluish-white or white........................................ambiguum 5c. Face pale............................................................costiferum
6a. Face red ..............................................................internum 6b. Face white ...........................................................obtrusum 6c. Face yellow.................................................... rubicundulum