Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
 

Register · Log In
HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
Upcoming Events

Registration is open for the 2024 BugGuide gathering in Idaho July 24-27

Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2023

Photos of insects and people from the 2022 BugGuide gathering in New Mexico, July 20-24

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Photos of insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29


Previous events
TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) » Dragonflies (Anisoptera) » Skimmers (Libellulidae) » Saddlebags (Tramea) » Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)
Photo#70923
Dragonfly - Tramea lacerata
Copyright © 2006 Terry Allison

Dragonfly - Tramea lacerata
Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas, USA
August 15, 2006
I've searched BG and my guidebook for a match to this dragonfly. The patches on the wings looked black to me outdoors, but are mostly blue in the photo. The Black Saddlebags - Tramea lacerata - comes closest but isn't a match. This one also doesn't have the yellow spots on abdomen. Sooo, I guess I'm at a loss. I'll keep looking, but hopefully you'll be able to set me straight in short order. Thanks very much.
tag · login or register to post comments
Contributed by Terry Allison on 15 August, 2006 - 2:54pm
Last updated 16 August, 2006 - 1:15pm

We would say Tramea lacerata also
but are bothered by the pruinose abdomen. This is clearly an old dragon given all the wear on his wings. We don't know if Tramea gets blue pruinose as it ages as many of the other Libellulidae do, but that's what we're guessing. Nice find. Nice to have an image of an old individual for the guide!
… john and jane balaban, 15 August, 2006 - 3:19pm login or register to post comments

 
Thank you
Thanks, J and J, I appreciate your help and comments. There were two of these, both with same coloration, perched within about 3-4 feet of each other. What happened to the yellow that should be on the abdomen? Is it something that wears off with age, or gets coated over? Perhaps this is the blue pruinose you referred to?
… Terry Allison, 15 August, 2006 - 4:28pm login or register to post comments

 
Yes, coated over
Take a look at the changes in the Common Whitetail as they age, on the info page here. We believe we read that it is a waxy buildup of some kind. Will have to search through Corbett and see.
… john and jane balaban, 15 August, 2006 - 8:30pm login or register to post comments

 
A pretty big change...
...isn't it? I had no idea that could happen. Thanks for the information, much appreciated.
… Terry Allison, 15 August, 2006 - 8:59pm login or register to post comments

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.

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:

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University logo

Printer Friendly Version 		Terms of Use
Privacy Statement
Site Map
Contact