General: Red Saddlebag Dragonflies (Tramea onusta) are active daytime fliers often seen over ponds and slow waters around Las Vegas. Adult males are recognized by their overall pale red color and dark red patches at the base of otherwise clear wings (looks like saddlebags on a horse). On closer inspection, the eyes are reddish over blueish, and the stigma are yellow. Females are similar, but the colors are less prominent.

These active creatures are harmless to humans, but they are voracious predators of small flying insects such as flies and mosquitoes. The larvae, however, can provide a bit of a bite. There are some good places for Watching Dragonflies Around Las Vegas.

Taxonomy: Order Odonata, Suborder Anisoptera, Family Libellulidae (Skimmer).