Tramea is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae, the skimmers and perchers. Members of the genus occur throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
Tramea dragonflies typically have dark or coloured patches at the bases of their hindwings, creating the appearance of saddlebags when in flight. This feature gives rise to the common names saddlebags and saddlebag gliders.
Taxonomic history In 1849, Hagen introduced the name Trapezostigma for dragonflies characterised by their distinctive wing markings. In 1861, Hagen established Tramea as a genus, shortening the earlier name Trapezostigma and incorporating an allusion to the Latin trameare ("to pass through"), referring to the migratory behaviour of species in the genus.
Description Species of Tramea are medium-sized to large dragonflies with conspicuous dark patches at the bases of the hindwings. The hindwings have a distinctive arrangement of veins and cells near the wing base.
Species of Tramea are strong fliers and many are highly migratory or nomadic, occurring throughout tropical and warm temperate regions worldwide.
Species The genus Tramea includes the following species, some of which have subspecies: Tramea abdominalis – Vermilion Saddlebags Tramea aquila Tramea basilaris – Keyhole Glider, Wheeling Glider, Red Marsh Trotter Tramea binotata – Sooty Saddlebags Tramea carolina – Carolina Saddlebags Tramea cophysa Tramea darwini – Striped Saddlebags Tramea eurybia Tramea insularis – Antillean Saddlebags Tramea lacerata – Black Saddlebags Tramea liberata Tramea limbata – Ferrugineus Glider, Voyaging Glider, Black Marsh Trotter Tramea loewii – Common Glider Tramea minuta Tramea onusta – Red Saddlebags, Red-mantled Saddlebags Tramea phaeoneura Tramea rosenbergi Tramea rustica Tramea stenoloba - Narrow-lobed glider Tramea transmarina – Red Glider Tramea virginia
Etymology The genus name Tramea is derived from the Latin trameare ("to pass through" or "travel across"), referring to the migratory or vagrant behaviour of species in the genus.
The earlier name Trapezostigma is derived from the Greek τραπέζιον (trapezion, "trapezium") and στίγμα (stigma, "spot" or "mark"), likely referring to the shape of the pterostigma.
Gallery Wing markings in species of Tramea are distinctive and vary considerably between species.
References odonata.info (2005)