The following photos show a Black Saddlebags dragonfly (Tramea lacerata). This specimen was spotted in a field located between the Pollinator Garden and Enchanted Pond, Meadowood Recreation Area, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. I think this individual is a young male. Expert opinions are invited and welcome!
Editor’s Note: Ed Lam, author and illustrator of Damselflies of the Northeast, commented on this post via the Facebook Northeast Odonata group.
Your dragonfly is indeed a young male. The form of the cerci is different from the female’s. Also you can see the pale epiproct which the female lacks.
Thanks for your help, Ed!
Copyright © 2013 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Black Saddlebags dragonfly, cerci, epiproct, Meadowood Recreation Area, Tramea lacerata, wildlife photography, young male
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