The length of the Carolina Saddlebags measures 45 đến 54 milimét (1,8 đến 2,1 in).[1] The thorax and basal part of each wing is brown. The eighth and ninth abdominal segments are black. In females, the abdomen and face are brownish red, and the basal part of the forehead is violet. In males, the abdomen and face are bright red, and the entire forehead is violet. Juvenile males resemble females.[2]