Robust Baskettail
Search For More Images
Epitheca spinosa
Hagen in Selys, 1878
Order Odonata
Suborder Anisoptera
Superfamily Libelluloidea
Family Corduliidae
Genus Epitheca
Species spinosa (Hagen in Selys, 1878) [Cordulia]
Identification
This is a southern coastal species in which males have distinctive caudal appendages. The thorax is diffusely covered with white hairs giving it a characteristically dull appearance. The hindwings may be variously marked with brown basally. The male cerci have a sharp dorsally projecting anteapical spine. The female caudal appendages are 2 mm long.
Size
Total length: 42-45 mm; abdomen: 32-35 mm; hindwing: 29-33 mm.
Similar Species
Other baskettails in the region are smaller with narrower abdomens. This the only baskettail with a distinct dorsally projecting tubercle on male cercus.
Habitat
Lakes, ponds and wooded swamps with little flow.
Discussion
This species is uncommon and only sporadically reported in the south-central United States. Sid Dunkle (pers. comm.
) has a single female in his collection from Washington Parish, Louisiana. A single male each was reported by Harp and Harp (1996
) from Clark County, Arkansas, and by Bick and Bick (1957
) from Latimer County, Oklahoma (previously reported by Bird (1932a
) as Epitheca canis McLachlan, Beaverpond Baskettail). This species has also only been documented from Houston County within Texas.
Distribution
Southeastern, New Jersey to Oklahoma
View a Full Map in the Distribution Viewer
