Carolina Saddlebags

More Dragonfly Resources Skimmers Dragonfly Pictures

The red spots on the inner wings, and red abdomen with black marks almost surrounding the bottom, suggest the top picture shows a male Carolina Saddlebags (Tramea carolina).

They are the dominant eastern saddlebags with a red color. However, the Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta), a western species, shares a territory with the Carolina Saddlebags in some Southeastern areas.

The bottom picture shows a close up of the saddles and abdominal marks on the female. Note the absence of clear spots on the inner parts of the saddle.

Saddlebags tend to be flyers, so patience is required to get a decent resting picture.

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels