Nebraska Dragonflies and Damselflies

Red Saddlebags

Tramea onusta

Hagen, 1861

A mature male of this species has a red face and abdomen and a brown, unmarked thorax. There is a wide dark red band, which is often thinner at the middle, in the base of each hindwing. The female's wing band is smaller than the male's and she is browner all over. Abdominal segments 8 and 9 on both sexes have dark spots on top.

Uncommon. This is a transcontinental species, but Nebraska is on the northern edge of the range. During the exceptionally wet year of 2010, there were many times as many individuals as in a normal year, and they were present in every county visited. It is to be expected in everycounty but is often rare; its habits are the same as for Black Saddlebags.

Green indicates accepted county record (specimen or photograph).
Yellow indicates sight record only.