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Scientific Name
Tramea lacerata
Family
Libellulidae (skimmers) in the order Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies)
Description
The black saddlebags is a dragonfly with memorable markings. Two dark blotches on each hindwing, positioned close to the body, look like saddlebags. This skimmer species typically stays in flight and rarely perches for long.
Learn more about this and other dragonflies on their group page.
Other Common Names
Saddlebags Skimmer
Size
Length: 1½–2¼ inches.
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Caption
The black saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) is a skimmer dragonfly with distinctive, and memorable, dark markings on the hindwings.
Credit
Jim Rathert
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Caption
Black saddlebags skimmers tend to always be in flight. They rarely spend much time perching.
Credit
Jim Rathert
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Image

Caption
Dragonflies typically are quite pale when they first emerge from their nymphal skin. This black saddlebags will soon become much darker.
Credit
Jim Rathert
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Image
Credit
Submitted by Chadrick Parson
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Free to use
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Similar Species
About Land Invertebrates in Missouri
Invertebrates are animals without backbones, including earthworms, slugs, snails, and arthropods. Arthropods—invertebrates with “jointed legs” — are a group of invertebrates that includes crayfish, shrimp, millipedes, centipedes, mites, spiders, and insects. There may be as many as 10 million species of insects alive on earth today, and they probably constitute more than 90 percent all animal species.