Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Common baskettail

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Kingdom
  
Animalia

Order
  
Odonata

Family
  
Corduliidae

Scientific name
  
Epitheca cynosura

Rank
  
Species

Phylum
  
Arthropoda

Suborder
  
Anisoptera

Genus
  
Epitheca

Higher classification
  
Epitheca

Common baskettail greglasleycomimagesCOCommon20Baskettail20001

Similar
  
Epitheca, Odonate, Common whitetail, Insect, Twelve‑spotted skimmer

Common baskettails


The common baskettail (Epitheca cynosura) is a dragonfly of the Corduliidae family. The thorax is brown and hairy. Some specimens have a triangular spot at the base of the hindwing. Individuals are difficult to distinguish from the other species in this genus. The caudal appendages (structures at the tip of the abdomen) differ between the species and can be compared with known drawings or close-up photos. Their flight season can begin as early as January and extends to August. They may also be seen October to December in north Florida.

Contents

Etymology

This is the most common baskettail within its range, hence the name. The scientific name, cynosura, means dog tail, and possibly refers to way the cerci at the end of the abdomen curve outward like a dog wagging its tail one way then the other.

References

Common baskettail Wikipedia