The red-mantled saddlebags or red saddlebags (''Tramea onusta'') is a species of
skimmer dragonfly found in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. It has translucent wings with red veins, and has characteristic dark red blotches at its proximal base, which makes the dragonfly look as if it is carrying
saddlebag
Saddlebags are bags that are attached to saddles.
Horse riding
In horse riding, saddlebags sit in various positions, on the back, side, or front of the saddle. Most attach to the saddle by straps and ties. They can be made from various materia ...
s when flying. The last two bands and the
cerci of these dragonflies are black.
Female red-mantled saddlebags typically have bodies that are light brown or pale orange, with lighter white and brown eyes. Males have a distinctive red body color.
This dragonfly has a wide distribution across North America; it is found south of San Francisco in the west and south of the Great Lakes in the east and as far south as Nicaragua and Puerto Rico.
References
External links
Red saddlebags at EOL
Libellulidae
Insects described in 1861
{{Libellulidae-stub