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Species Tramea onusta - Red Saddlebags

Red Saddlebags - Tramea onusta Dragonfly - Tramea onusta Red Saddlebags - Tramea onusta - male Which Tramea [lacerata or calverti perhaps]? - Tramea onusta Dragonfly perching  - Tramea onusta Dragonfly Body Scan - Red Saddlebags (dorsal tail) - Tramea onusta - female red saddlebags with eggs - Tramea onusta Red Saddlebags Dragonfly? - Tramea onusta
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)
Species onusta (Red Saddlebags)
Size
43-46mm long
Identification
Clear patch in middle of saddlebags near the body at the base of the hindwing helps distinguish this species from T. carolina. Also, not much black on the tip of the abdomen, and that only on the top; in T. carolina, the black continues around the sides of the abdomen tip. (1)
Range
Eastern half of US
Also, northeast to southern Ontario, west to southern plains and southwest, including the southern half of CA up to the Bay area (Dennis Paulson, 2009, (2); Tim Manolis, 2003, (3)), with records up to southern Sonoma and Sacramento counties (Odonata Central) - HW
Habitat
Lakes, ponds and other quiet waters.
Season
mid May to early October in the midwest
March-October in CA; Jan.-Nov. in AZ; March-Oct. in NM; May-Oct. in NE; Feb.-Dec. in TX. (Paulson, (2))
Internet References
Southwestern distribution map for Tramea onusta, and T. lacerata (Southwestdragonflies.net)
See Kathy Biggs' site for CA distribution map (2009)
Photos of individuals of both gender at southwestdragonflies
Odonata Central photo page . There's also a map feature showing distribution; follow instructions to get clickable records.
Works Cited
1.Dragonflies of Indiana
James R. Curry. 2001. Indiana Academy of Science.
2.Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West
Dennis Paulson. 2009. Princeton.
3.Dragonflies and Damselflies of California
Tim Manolis. 2003. University of California Press.