The Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympertrum vicinum) is one of the 99 species of Dragonfly found in Vermont. It is common to marshes, ponds and slow moving streams.
As dragonflies are cold-blooded, they are commonly found perched in the sun on cool summer and fall mornings. There name, Sympertrum, means "with rock" and refers to their basking on rocks to warm up in the early part of the day.
Adult Meadowhawks eat soft-bodied flying insects such as mosquitoes, flies, mayflies and flying ants.
(A special thanks to Bryan Pfeiffer for helping me identify the Autumn Meadowhawk).
