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Photo#172786
Dragonfly - Tramea

Dragonfly - Tramea
Brooksville, Hernando County, Florida, USA
March 9, 2008
I shot this image on Sunday. I saw this Dragonfly setting atop of my Nectarine tree. I have looked but can't seem to find an exact match for him/her. This dragon fly is the most beautiful one I have ever seen, and wasn't too much afarid either. An Identificaion would be great.
Thanks you

Looks like
Genus Tramea - Saddlebags, but I don't know which one.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/3820/bgpage

 
Carolina Perhaps?
Carolina Perhaps?

 
Carolina Saddlebags
I agree with you both. I looked at the Carolina Saddlebag Dragonfly, and think my image is the same. The Carolina seems to have that lasey look for the saddlebags.

 
T. onusta?
The "saddles" on this specimen don't reach the wing margin, which leads me to think it is T. onusta rather than T. carolina, but what do I know, I'm a "wasp guy:-)"

 
Hmmm...
It doesn't seem conclusive to me... Looking at the images for Black saddlebags, red saddlebags and carolina saddlebags, they all have some variation to how far down the hind wing the "saddlebags" go. I'm still figuring this out, but what I noted was the yellow stigma, and I don't really know if that's conclusive either... I look forward to seeing what the experts say! LOL

 
Likely T. onusta but can't be sure
I'd lean more towards Red Saddlebags (T. onusta) due to the patch of clear wing in the middle of the saddles. (the guide says Carolinian lacks this clear patch) but I'd agree with Jeanne, the Red and Carolinia Saddlebags need close inspection to differentiate between them and I don't know that this shot can prove it one way or the other. The other more certain characteristic is the forehead colour. See comparison here.

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