Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) » Dragonflies (Anisoptera) » Skimmers (Libellulidae) » Saddlebags (Tramea) » Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta)

Species Tramea onusta - Red Saddlebags

Red Saddlebags - Male - Tramea onusta - male

Common Basket Tail? - Tramea onusta - female

Red Saddlebags - Tramea onusta - Tramea onusta - male

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.

Contributed by john and jane balaban on 31 August, 2004 - 6:25pm
Additional contributions by Hartmut Wisch, Tyler Hedlund
Last updated 28 January, 2021 - 10:33am

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: