Tramea carolina

Carolina saddlebags
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Anisoptera
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Tramea
Species: T. carolina
Binomial name
Tramea carolina
(Linnaeus, 1763)

Tramea carolina, the Carolina saddlebags, is a species of dragonfly native to eastern North America.

Description

The length of the Carolina saddlebags measures 45 to 54 mm (1.8 to 2.1 in).[1] The thorax and basal part of each wing is brown. The eighth and ninth abdominal segments are black. In females, the abdomen and face are brownish red, and the basal part of the forehead is violet. In males, the abdomen and face are bright red, and the entire forehead is violet. Juvenile males resemble females.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The Carolina saddlebags is found from southern Nova Scotia to Florida and Bermuda west to Texas. It is seem all year in Florida and from May to August in Canada. Its habitats include ponds, lakes, swamps, and streams. It is not found near muddy water.[2]

Behavior

Adults feed in groups from morning till evening, flying 2–7 m (7–23 ft) above the ground. They perch on the tips of stems or other objects.[2]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tramea carolina.
  1. ↑ Coin, Patrick (16 May 2004). "Species Tramea carolina - Carolina Saddlebags". Bugguide.net. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Dunkle, Sidney W. (2000). Dragonflies through Binoculars: A Field Guide to Dragonflies of North America. Oxford University Press. p. 218. ISBN 0-19-511268-7.