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Dragonflies

Dragonflies are important predators of insects in the ecosystems in which they live. Both the larvae and adult eat large numbers of insect pests, such as mosquitoes.  The saddlebags in turn,  are the food source for predatory fish and birds in rice paddies.

The Black saddlebag (Tramea lacerata) is a species of skimmer dragonfly found throughout much of Mexico and the United States. It has distinctive wings with characteristic black blotches at their proximal ends, which make them look like they're wearing saddlebags.

Black saddlebag adults and larvae are  important indicators of healthy, aquatic habitats. The saddlebag dragonfly prefers slow moving bodies of water to safely lay their eggs,  like those found in ditches, ponds, small lakes, wetlands and Rice Paddies.