Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00599
Black Saddlebags
Tramea lacerata
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About Black Saddlebags
Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) is a member of Libellulidae in the order Odonata. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.
Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) is documented from Kauaʻi. Skimmer dragonflies have aquatic predatory naiads and aerial predatory adults. Many species are strong dispersers and use ponds, marshes, streams, or temporary water. On Kauaʻi, observations are most useful when they record waterbody, exuviae/naiads, adult sex/color phase, territorial behavior, and season. Where island-specific host, prey, breeding-site, abundance, or seasonal information is not yet firmly documented, those details should remain tied to direct specimens and field observations rather than inferred from populations elsewhere.
Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) is an introduced dragonfly documented from Kauaʻi. Dark basal hindwing patches are a conspicuous adult identification feature; aquatic naiads require separate coverage.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Hawaii Biological Survey states Tramea lacerata was historically known from all main Hawaiian islands except Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe, which includes Kauaʻi.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Egg; aquatic naiad; emergence/final molt; winged adult; no pupa.
Habitat
Freshwater pools, ponds, wetlands, slow streams, and surrounding aerial foraging habitat.
Food and ecological role
Naiads prey on aquatic animals; adults capture flying insects.
Reproduction
Adults mate near water and females lay eggs in or over suitable freshwater habitat.
Movement
Adults are strong fliers; naiads remain aquatic.
Ecosystem role
Predator in aquatic and aerial food webs.
Threats and impacts
Recruitment depends on freshwater habitat quality; introduced species may also interact with native odonates.
Monitoring
Record waterbody, exuviae/naiads, adult sex/color phase, territorial behavior, and season.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Tramea lacerata
- Common names
- Black Saddlebags
- Family
- Libellulidae
- Order
- Odonata
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) is a member of Libellulidae in the order Odonata. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.