United States and Canada
This species is similar to Common Baskettail (Epitheca cynosura), but it is generally larger. The frons is yellow, covered with numerous short black hairs above and white below. The pterothorax is densely clothed with white hairs. The wings are clear with a touch of brown basally. The pterostigma is long. The abdomen is slender, regularly tapering beyond the swollen third segment. Segments 1-3 are largely yellow. The pale lateral markings regularly diminish posteriorly and segment 10 and the caudal appendages are black. The male caudal appendages are similar to those of Common Baskettail, but generally with the basal 3rd straight, or nearly so.
Size: Total length: 44-47 mm; abdomen: 32-36 mm; hindwing: 27-32 mm.
Similar Species (south-central US): Careful examination should be given to distinguish this species from Stripe-winged (E. costalis) and Common (E. cynosura) Baskettails. These two species are much more common in our region and characters useful for separating them are given under each.
Habitat: Lakes and ponds.
Natural History: This species is sometimes considered an endemic to Florida, but it has been infrequently taken in Georgia and Mississippi. A single male has also been reported from Louisiana. The specimen was taken in Ouachita Parish near Monroe, Louisiana. Little has been reported on its behavior, which is apparently similar to that of Common Baskettail.
Distribution: Southeast coastal plain to Louisiana.
Source: Abbott, J.C. 2006-2010. OdonataCentral: An online resource for the distribution and identification of Odonata. Available at OdonataCentral.
Edited by Drew Weber (9/24/2015).
