RUBY, CHERRY-FACED, AND/or WHITE-FACED MEADOWHAWKS
Finally, here is one I can identify! This is the mature White-faced Meadowhawk. These dragonflies are uncommon in southwest Ohio. Apparently, they used to be more common than they are now (based on historical records). This might be one of our northern species that is losing ground due to climate change.
So far, I have only seen two White-faced Meadowhawks in our area: the one above at Cox Arboretum on October 6, 2017, and the one at left at Grant Park in Centerville on October 16, 2022. I suspect that both individuals were strays or migrants. Favorable weather patterns might bring these dragonflies down from the north in certain years.
In southwestern Ohio, almost all of these black-legged meadowhawks are likely to be Rubies. White-faced Meadowhawks are very uncommon in our part of Ohio. Apparently, the Cherry-faced Meadowhawks are rare as well (if they are present at all). Any individuals examined in hand in our area almost always turn out to be Ruby Meadowhawks.
Female meadowhawk. The females of these three species are yellow and even harder to distinguish than the males!
This dragonfly could be one of three species: Ruby Meadowhawk, Cherry-faced Meadowhawk, or immature White-faced Meadowhawk. These three species generally cannot be distinguished in photographs (unless it is a mature White-faced with a vivid white face).
Young meadowhawk of the Ruby/ White-faced/ Cherry-faced group. I see these dragonflies from late May through September. They are common at many of the Beaver Creek Wetlands parks, Cox Arboretum, and elsewhere.
