Identification

Field Marks

• Average adult size is approximately from 1.6 to 2.0 inches
• Face is orange-brown turning red as they mature
• Red eyes
• Reddish-brown unmarked thorax
• Long, narrow, pointed hamule which extends past the genital lobe
• Red abdomen, when mature, with black spots on the top of segments 8 and 9
• Long cerci
• Dark brown patches at the base of the hind wing, with red veining, and a clear spot or window
• Red veining on the leading edge of each wing

Field Marks

• Duller in color than the males. With immature females mostly tan, turning a reddish brown as they mature
• Black spots on segments 8 and 9 may be smaller than those on the males
• Subgenital plates close together and slightly longer than segment 9
• Cerci longer than segments 9 and 10 combined

Behavior

Once a rare site in Minnesota the Red Saddlebags range has seemed to expand northward. They are now often seen across much of the state. They are strong flyers that typically migrate into Minnesota from the south during the summer. They can often be found feeding in mixed swarms of darners, gliders and saddlebags

Habitat

Permanent or temporary lakes, ponds and slow-moving streams, preferably with little mud and no fish

Reproduction

Typically lay eggs while flying in tandem. Pair fly low above the water. Then the male releases the female who flies down to the water and dips her abdomen once releasing the eggs and as she flies back up the male grabs here in tandem again, ensuring that she cannot mate with another male