




Tramea lacerata
The Black Saddlebags is a dragonfly with striking black wings and a unique saddle-like shape on its body. They are often seen flying over ponds and wetlands, making them fun to watch!
Habitat: Wetlands
The Black Saddlebags has a dark body with large, reddish-brown eyes. Its most striking feature is the broad, dark brown to black patches at the base of its hindwings, which look like saddlebags. These distinct markings make it visually different from many other dragonflies.





Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
12
An adult Black Saddlebags can devour hundreds of mosquitoes and flies in a single day!
Some Black Saddlebags migrate thousands of kilometers, like tiny winged adventurers!
Their young, called nymphs, are fierce underwater hunters that can even catch small fish!
They can hover completely still in mid-air, making them masters of flight control.
Black Saddlebags can spot tiny insects from far away because of their large, multifaceted compound eyes.
Black Saddlebags has two pairs of powerful wings that help them fly forwards, backwards, and hover effortlessly.
Young Black Saddlebags (nymphs) can breathe underwater using special gills that help them hunt aquatic prey.
These insect hunters catch and eat small flying bugs.
Age differences: Nymphs hunt aquatic invertebrates, while adults hunt flying insects in the air.
Culex pipiens
Adult dragonflies prey on these disease-carrying insects.
Chironomus plumosus
Adults help control populations of these abundant flying insects.

Lepomis macrochirus
Fish, like bluegill, often prey on the aquatic dragonfly nymphs.
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Tyrannus tyrannus
Birds like kingbirds snatch adult dragonflies from the air.
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
No aliases listed yet.
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Dragonflies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance.
The easiest way to identify Black Saddlebags is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
90-100 mm
48-62 mm
20-90 days
30 km/h
These insect hunters catch and eat small flying bugs.
Wetlands
Pursuit
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Jun 4, 2026
Las Vegas High School Neighborhood Historic DistrictPhoto attribution
(c) Katrina Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Ohio, US
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Nevada, US
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Ohio, US
You might spot Toadshade, Virginia Springbeauty, and Dutchman's Breeches.
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Illinois, US
You might spot Eastern Red-Backed Salamander and Harbinger Of Spring.
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Ohio, US
You might spot Bluegill, Duck, and Eastern Forktail.
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Nevada, US
You might spot Great-Tailed Grackle and Northern Mockingbird.
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