About Tramea basilaris (Palisot de Beauvois, 1817)
Tramea basilaris is a medium-sized red dragonfly with extremely long anal appendages. It can be distinguished from other species in its genus by a specific marking at the base of its hind-wings: a brownish black patch surrounded by a golden yellow areola. Females are similar in form to males, but are yellowish in color. This species occurs at pools, ponds, marshes, lakes, and water tanks. Its typical breeding habitats are grassy marshes and ponds, though individuals may be found anywhere during migrations. On sunny days, the dragonflies can be seen engaging in tireless soaring flight, sometimes in groups made up only of this species, or in mixed groups with other soaring dragonfly species such as Pantala flavescens or Hydrobasileus croceus. It perches on exposed twigs, and sometimes holds its abdomen downwards to maintain balance in wind.
