Gliders

Family Libellulidae Leach, 1815

• Genus Tramea     (Hagen, 1861)  Saddlebag gliders

Distribution Worldwide

• 30 species 
• Known in the New World as saddlebags for their wing markings, this genus is nearly cosmopolitan

Africa

• 2 Species

General identification features

• Both species are large (hindwing 38-43 mm) brown to red dragonflies
• Wing with very distinctive Markings

Habitat and behaviour

• Well dispersed
• Following rains and breeding in seasonal pools and marshes.

Behaviour

• Often swarming together with Pantala flavescens
• Tend to glide and hover, resting pendulantly in sheltered places.
• Often perch in the ‘pennant’ position at the end of high or exposed stakes, with wings raised and abdomen either also slightly up or pressed down.

Distribution

Synopsis

• Only images of males are shown
• To view images of female follow the menu links to the main description pages
• Click on all images to enlarge.

A selection of images