United States
51-55 mm. A large, widespread, distinctive skimmer. This is one of the most easily-recognized species in North America.
This is the only black saddlebags glider in the region. It is large with a yellowish face in young males and females, that becomes entirely black in mature males. The top of the head, including the vertex is deep metallic violet. The thorax is brown with black iridescence on the sides. The wings are clear except for a broad black crossband covering the basal forth of the hindwing. There is a large prominent clear spot medially in this area, extending to the inner wing margin. The legs are black.
The abdomen is black. Immatures show a pair of yellowish spots dorsally on the middle segments which becomes obscured with age.
In the field, easily recognized by overall blackish coloration with broad black "saddlebags" at the base of the rear wings. In closer view there are diagnostic yellow square-like spots on S7 in younger individuals. As with other saddlebags, the hind wings are very broad.
Size and Structure: Total length: 47-55 mm; abdomen: 31-38 mm; hindwing: 40-48 mm. Large, about the size and bulk of Red Saddlebags or Flame Skimmer.
The black "saddlebags" can make this species appear bulkier than it actually is.
Identification: Mature male with dark eyes and face. Top of frons metallic violet. Thorax black with metallic reflections. Dark pruinosity enveloping thorax and abdomen of older individuals. Hind wing with long broad black mark. Veins in this area often pale. Abdomen black, sometimes pruinose. Juvenile males lack pruinosity and with yellow square on S6 and/or S7. Female like juvenile male, but eyes and face brown, and body blackish brown. Terminal appendages in both sexes long and black.
Similar species: All other North American saddlebags with broad saddles are red. Sooty Saddlebags is black, but has a narrow saddle.Azetec Glider (Tauriphila azteca) has smaller wing marks and much more yellow on the abdomen. The smallerMarl Pennant (Macrodiplax balteata) is black with much smaller black spots in hind wings and lacks the yellow spot on the top of S7.
Habitat: Marshy ponds, lakes, ditches and slow streams.
Natural History: This species migrates northward in the spring. Males are often seen in large feeding swarms throughout the day. Females lay eggs as described for the genus, but may do so alone or without being released from the male's grasp. This species probably occurs year round in the southern areas of its range.
Distribution: Southern Canada and throughout U.S., but lacking from much of the Great Plains. Migratory.
Source: Abbott, J.C. 2006-2010. OdonataCentral: An online resource for the distribution and identification of Odonata. Available at OdonataCentral.
Edited by Drew Weber (9/24/2015) and David Bell (9/29/2015).
