Genus Tramea - Saddlebags

Classification · Other Common Names · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Identification · Life Cycle · See Also · Print References · Works Cited

Black Saddlebags - Tramea lacerata - male

Carolina Saddlebags - Tramea carolina - male

Common Basket Tail? - Tramea onusta - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)

Suborder Anisoptera (Dragonflies)

Family Libellulidae (Skimmers)

Genus Tramea (Saddlebags)

Other Common Names

Dancing Gliders (after oviposition technique)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Tramea Hagen, 1861

Explanation of Names

The genus name Tramea is from the Latin verb trameo (infinitve trameare), a form of transmeo/transmeare, "to go over or through" (Fliedner and Martens, 2008; Latin Dictionary). Fliedner and Martens state that Hagen's original thought was to name the genus "trapezostigma" (after the trapezium-shaped pterostigma), but that he shortened it to a less unwieldy word in the actual publication describing the genus. Apparently the name Tramea refers both to the wandering ways of these dragonflies (trameo) and to the earlier proposed name, "trapezostigma".

Numbers

7 North American species (1)

Identification

Body teardrop-shaped, hindwing large, resembling the rainpool gliders, Pantala.

Life Cycle

Dunkle, p. 217 (2) describes interesting reproductive behavior in this genus. Mating takes place while perched. Oviposition is unusual: Flying in tandem over water, male releases females head and she dips to oviposit. She flies back up and the male grasps her head again.

See Also

Rainpool gliders--Pantala

Print References

Dunkle, p. 217 (2)

Fliedner, H. and Martens, A. The meaning of the scientific names of Seychelles dragonflies (Odonata). Phelsuma 16 (2008); 49-57 (PDF)

Works Cited

1.	Dragonfly Society of the Americas. 2012. North American Odonata

2.	Dragonflies Through Binoculars: A Field Guide to Dragonflies of North America Sidney W. Dunkle. 2000. Oxford Press.

Contributed by Cotinis on 16 May, 2004 - 7:41pm
Last updated 27 June, 2011 - 3:13pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version