Robust Baskettail (Epitheca
spinosa)
Many of the Baskettails (Epitheca sp) are notoriously difficult to
identify, even in hand. Perhaps the most confusing area for the
identification of these species is East Texas, where 5 confusingly similar
species co-occur. Usually, the Mantled
Baskettail (E. semiaquea) is mostly easily distinguished, with its
distinctive hindwing maculation and stout abdomen. Robust Baskettails (E.
spinosa) can be distinguished IF the terminal appendages can be seen
clearly, as there is a dorsal spine on each. Next is the
Common Baskettail (E. cynosura),
which occurs in both clear-winged and maculated forms and has a relatively stout
abdomen. The Slender Baskettail (E.
costalis) is more slender, has no maculations in its wings, a slender
abdomen, and relatively straight terminal appendages in males and long
appendages in females. The Dot-winged
Baskettail (E. petechialis), in its dot-winged form is easily
distinguished by the dots on the leading edges of both wings.
Unfortunately, it also occurs in a clear-winged form, which can only be
distinguished in hand from the Slender Baskettail (E. costalis). In
these pages, I have made my best effort to determine species, but this is not
always possible with photographs - in fact, many experts would probably suggest
that I'm being overly optimistic in some of the identifications presented here.
For all individuals which I have been unable to determine species (or make an
educated guess), I've created a page for
unidentified Baskettails.
Thanks to Dennis Paulson, who corrected my misidentification of these Baskettail
photos from my Common Baskettail page. This series of photos represent the
2nd known locale in Texas for this species. The spine on the dorsal
surface of the terminal appendages should be clearly visible in the inset
photos.
TEXAS: Jasper Co; Angelina National Forest, Bouton Lake - male in flight - March
2009