| Common baskettail | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
| Family: | Corduliidae |
| Genus: | Epitheca |
| Species: | E. cynosura |
| Binomial name | |
| Epitheca cynosura | |
 | |
| Range of E. cynosura [3] | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The common baskettail (Epitheca cynosura) is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae.
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. [4]
The thorax is brown and hairy. Some specimens have a triangular spot at the base of the hindwing. [5] 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. [6] Their flight season can begin as early as January and extends to August. They may also be seen October to December in north Florida. [7]
Corduliidae, also knowns as the emeralds, emerald dragonflies, or green-eyed skimmers, is a family of dragonflies. These dragonflies are usually black or dark brown with areas of metallic green or yellow, and most of them have large, emerald-green eyes. The larvae are black, hairy-looking, and usually semiaquatic. This family include species called "baskettails", "emeralds", "sundragons", "shadowdragons", and "boghaunters". They are not uncommon and are found nearly worldwide, but some individual species are quite rare. Hine's emerald dragonfly, for example, is an endangered species in the United States.
Hylogomphus parvidens, the Piedmont clubtail, is a species of clubtail dragonflies in the family Gomphidae. It is found in the southeastern United States.
Sympetrum vicinum, the Yellow-Legged Meadowhawk is one of some fifteen North American species of autumn meadowhawk, which are members of the Odonate family Libellulidae. It grows to 26–35 mm long.
Epitheca is a genus of dragonflies in the family Corduliidae. They are commonly known as baskettails. Baskettails' distinction is the specially adapted, upturned abdomen tip of the females which allows them to carry their egg masses in a small, orange-tinted globule.
The eastern amberwing is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is very small, reaching a total length of no more than 25 millimetres (0.98 in). The males have orange or amber wings. Both sexes have a red pterostigma.
The eight-spotted skimmer is a dragonfly of the skimmer family.
The dot-winged baskettail is a dragonfly of the family Corduliidae. Their flight season extends from January to July, slightly later than the other baskettails. The easiest specimens to identify are those with the characteristic spots on the hindwing that give the species its name. Individuals without these spots are difficult to distinguish from the other species in this genus. The caudal appendages differ between the species and can be compared with known drawings or close-up photos.
The powdered dancer is a damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae. It is native to North America. It may be seen year-round in at least some of its range.
The spiny baskettail is a dragonfly of the Corduliidae family. Flight season is late May to early July.
The American rubyspot is a damselfly of the family Calopterygidae. Males have a lustrous red head and thorax. The abdomen of both genders is brilliant green. The female may have either green or copper colored marks on the thorax.
Miathyria is a Neotropical genus of dragonflies. They are commonly known as Hyacinth Gliders. One species, M. marcella, occurs in North America. They are associated with floating plants, especially Water Hyacinth or Water Lettuce.
Somatochlora elongata, the ski-tipped emerald or ski-tailed emerald, is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Cordulegaster erronea, the tiger spiketail, is a species of spiketail in the family Cordulegastridae. It is found in North America.
Epitheca costalis, known generally as the slender baskettail or stripe-winged baskettail, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Epitheca canis, the beaverpond baskettail, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Epitheca sepia, the sepia baskettail, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Epitheca semiaquea, the mantled baskettail, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Epitheca spinosa, the robust baskettail, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Phanogomphus militaris, the sulphur-tipped clubtail, is a species of clubtail dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It is found in central North America.
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