The Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta) is a medium-sized migratory dragonfly with distinctive red patches at the hindwing base. Males have a red abdomen and migrate southward in fall alongside monarchs and other migratory insects. It is more common than its black-saddlebaged relative in some Gulf Coast areas during fall migration.
Best time to see a Crimson Dropwing
The best time to see a Crimson Dropwing is June–September, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 9,714 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Crimson Dropwing? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Crimson Dropwing sightings near you
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