Tramea onusta  -  Red Saddlebags

Order

Odonata

Suborder

Anisoptera

Family

Libellulidae

Genus/species

Tramea onusta

Italian name

--

English name

Red Saddlebags

In tropical countries, practically all year.

This species is common on fields, meadows and roads, where males patrol large territories and often fly very high.

Mating takes place in bushes and trees.

Females lay eggs alone or in tandem.

In general, deposition occurs on algae emerging from the water.

The species is reported in south USA, Mexico, Antilles, Central and South America, up to Venezuela.

Dimensions: body 41-48 mm;
- rear wing 37-42 mm,
- abdomen 28-34 mm.

Wings:
- transparent front with dark red veins,
- transparent backs, with a large reddish brown "band" which generally does not extend beyond the central rib of the anal corner, with a transparent patch in a central position.

Male : "face" reddish, brown chest without friezes,

red abdomen with segments 8, 9 and 10 with a pale white frieze laterally.

Female : brownish "face", brown chest without friezes, brownish-yellow abdomen.