Black Saddlebags

Media
Black saddlebags dragonfly perched on an upright twig
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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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.
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