Male. Cardinal Meadowhawk (Sympetrum illotum). Nyberg Road, Tualatin, Wasington County, Oregon
Male. Striped Meadowhawk (Sympetrum pallipes). Cook Park, Washington County, Oregon
Male. Striped Meadowhawk (Sympetrum pallipes). Glacier view, Mt Hood, Oregon
Female. White-faced (Sympetrum obtrusum). Trillium Lake, Mt Hood, Oregon
Female Variegated. Smith and Bybee Lake, Multnomah Co., Oregon
Male Western. John Day River, Grant Co., Oregon
Comment. Identification of Sympetrum specimens can be a bit tricky if you are not careful. The table below provides a general overview for adult males but females and immature males will complicate field identification.
| Species | Face | Thorax | Legs | Wings | Abdomen |
| Black (S. danae) | Black | Complex pattern | Black | Unmarked | Black w/ yellow spots (mature) |
| Western (S. occidentale) | Red to brown | Rusty w/ black W | Orange-brown wash | Red w/ black stripe | |
| Autumn (formerly Yellow-legged) (S. vicinum) | Red | Rusty brown | Yellow to red | Red veined | Red w/ little black |
| Saffron-winged (S. costiferum) | Red | Brown | Black | Amber wash on leading edge | Brick red w/ little black |
| Striped (S. pallipes) | Red | Pale stripes | Black | Amber wash on leading edge | Brick red w/ little black |
| Cardinal (S. illotum) | Red | 2 white spots low | Red | Basal orange w/ streaks | Unmarked |
| Red-veined (S. madidum) | Red | white stripes, dots at lower end | Black | Basal orange w/o stripes | . |
| Variegated (S. corruptum) | Red | Same as red-veined | Black | Leading edge and stigma tip yellow | Mosaic of red, white, gray |
| White-faced (S.obtrusum) | White | Unmarked | Black | Dark veins | Red w/ black triangles |
| Cherry-faced (S. internum) | Red | Unmarked | Black | Red veins | Red w/ black triangles |
Female characteristics.
| Species | Characteristic |
| Black (S. danae) | Yellowish. |
| Western (S. occidentale) | Yellow but same amber wash on wings. |
| Autumn (formerly Yellow-legged) (S. vicinum) | Legs yellow but becoming brown with age. |
| Saffron-winged (S. costiferum) | Thorax and abdomen yellow becoming brown with age. Amber on leading edge of wing. Stigmas yellow. |
| Striped (S. pallipes) | Pale stripes on thorax. Black marks on abdomen |
| Cardinal (S. illotum) | Wing base orange with streaks. |
| Red-veined (S. madidum) | Wing base orange without streaks. |
| Variegated (S. corruptum) | Abdoment has similar variegated pattern as male but yellow. |
| White-faced (S.obtrusum) | . |
| Cherry-faced (S. internum) | . |