Do you know the Black Saddlebags dragonfly, or Tramea lacerata, can be found in many places? This includes Mexico and the United States, such as from Maine to Montana. It can even be seen in some parts of Canada. This dragonfly is a big part of the skimmer family.
Its big, dark areas on the back wings look like saddlebags. In this guide, we’ll check out the names, details, and where these dragonflies are found.
Being an entomologist and loving dragonflies, I’m excited to tell you all about them. This is for anyone interested, whether you know a lot already or just starting. You’ll learn much about the Black Saddlebags dragonfly and its world.
The Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. Here is a list of names associated with this species:
- Tramea lacerata (Scientific Name)
- Black Saddlebags (Common Name)
- Libellula lacerata (Former Scientific Name)
- Tramea lacerata lacerata (Subspecies)
These names include the primary scientific name, common name, former scientific name, and recognized subspecies for the Black Saddlebags dragonfly.
Introduction to the Black Saddlebags Dragonfly
The black saddlebags dragonfly is known scientifically as Tramea lacerata. It belongs to the Odonata order, including dragonflies and damselflies. This creature is from the Libellulidae family (skimmers), making it unique among North American dragonflies.
Classification and Identification
This dragonfly is part of the animal kingdom. More precisely, it falls into the Arthropoda phylum, subphylum Hexapoda, and Insecta class. It’s in the Odonata order, Anisoptera suborder, and Libellulidae family. Its species name is Tramea, known for its saddlebags on the hindwings.
The black saddlebags dragonfly might look like the Carolina or Red Saddlebags in low light. But, it flies more and perches less, which makes it stand out.
This dragonfly measures about 5 centimeters long. Its wide head is striking against its dark brown body. It’s known to migrate, showing its adaptability.
Both young and adult black saddlebags dragonflies eat mosquitoes. They are important for keeping the ecosystem balanced.
Black Saddlebags Dragonfly Species Names
The big dragonfly known as Tramea lacerata gets its name from its look. It’s found all over North America, except the upper Midwest.
You can spot Tramea lacerata near water like ponds and lakes. It’s cool because it flies north to breed, then south for the winter.
This dragonfly is great at hunting bugs. The babies and the grown-ups eat up mosquitoes. They keep our bug numbers in check.
Tramea lacerata is interesting because its young ones live in water. The grown-ups live in the air. This helps them get different foods without fighting each other.
The black saddlebags dragonfly is pretty big, about 2 inches long. There are many other types of dragonflies in Texas. Learning about Tramea lacerata teaches us a lot about these cool insects.
In the end, Tramea lacerata is a neat part of nature. Its flying, eating habits, and where it lives are all really cool. This shows us how amazing the world of nature is.
Conclusion
The black saddlebags dragonfly, or Tramea lacerata, is interesting and special. It’s found in many places in North America. With its dark “saddlebags” and its way of always being in flight, it catches the eye of people who love dragonflies, nature, and entomologists. This guide has talked about its classification, what it looks like, and where it lives. This makes us understand and like this beautiful insect more.
The Odonata classification and taxonomy show us where the black saddlebags dragonfly belongs in the world of North American dragonflies. Its special features, like the saddlebags on its wings, help us know it’s the black saddlebags dragonfly. Knowing where it lives helps us see how important it is to the ecosystem and the variety of insects out there.
If you just like watching, or if you are really into dragonflies, the black saddlebags dragonfly is worth getting to know. It’s special and found in many places in North America. This makes it a key part of the many kinds of North American dragonflies. There’s so much we can learn, see, and enjoy about it.
