About Tramea carolina (Linnaeus, 1763)
Carolina saddlebags (Tramea carolina) have a body length between 45 and 54 mm (1.8 to 2.1 inches). Their thorax and the basal portion of each wing are brown, and their eighth and ninth abdominal segments are black. This species shows color variation by age and sex: females have brownish red abdomens and faces, with violet coloring on the basal part of the forehead; mature males have bright red abdomens and faces, with entirely violet foreheads; juvenile males share the same appearance as females. The species ranges from southern Nova Scotia west to Texas, and also occurs in Florida and Bermuda. In Florida, it can be seen year-round, while in Canada it is only active from May to August. Its habitats are ponds, lakes, swamps, and streams that do not have muddy water. These aquatic habitats typically contain partially or fully submerged vegetation, which is where the larvae of this species live.
