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

Photos of insects and people from the 2024 BugGuide gathering in Idaho July 24-27

Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2024

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
TaxonomyBrowse
Info
ImagesLinksBooksData
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) » Dragonflies (Anisoptera) » Skimmers (Libellulidae) » Saddlebags (Tramea) » Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)

Species Tramea lacerata - Black Saddlebags

Classification · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Life Cycle · Remarks · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited
Black Saddlebags - Tramea lacerata - male Black Saddlebags - Tramea lacerata - male Black Saddlebags - Tramea lacerata Tramea lacerata Copulating - Tramea lacerata - male - female black saddlebags? - Tramea lacerata Black saddlebags - Tramea lacerata - female Black Saddlebags - Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, NY - Tramea lacerata Tramea - Tramea lacerata
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 lacerata (Black Saddlebags)
Size
Length 4.7-5.5 cm
Identification
Large dark "saddlebags" on hindwings distinctive. Could be confused with Carolina or Red Saddlebags in poor light. Flies constantly, often gliding, perches infrequently.
Range
Includes most of North America, absent from upper midwest.
Habitat
Near ponds, other bodies of water. Widespread in migration.
Season
Spring into fall in temperate areas, all year in subtropics.
Food
Predatory on flying insects
Life Cycle
Breeds in fish-free temporary or permanent ponds, ditches. (See account for genus Tramea on oviposition.) Partially migratory--some move north to breed and the next generation flies south. May migrate in swarms.
Remarks
Seldom perches.
Print References
Dunkle, p. 217, plate 40 (1)
Dunkle (2)
Nikula (3)
Internet References
Cirrus Imaging
Animal Diversity Web
Odonata Central
Works Cited
1.Dragonflies Through Binoculars: A Field Guide to Dragonflies of North America
Sidney W. Dunkle. 2000. Oxford Press.
2.Dragonflies of the Florida Peninsula, Bermuda, and the Bahamas
Sidney W. Dunkle. 1989. Scientific Publishers.
3.Stokes Beginner's Guide to Dragonflies
Donald and Lillian Stokes. 2002. Little, Brown and Company.
Contributed by Cotinis on 16 May, 2004 - 7:47pm
Additional contributions by Harsi S. Parker
Last updated 29 August, 2017 - 2:06pm

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 © 2003-2025 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