Dot-winged Baskettail (Epitheca petechialis)

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.

The specimens on this page all should be Dot-winged Baskettails by geographic distribution.


TEXAS: Travis Co; Austin, SE Metro Park - female - March 2018


TEXAS: Kinney Co; Fort Clark Springs, trails on NE corner of property - female - March 2017


TEXAS: Hays Co; San Marcos River below Spring Lake Dam - male - March 2016




TEXAS: Comal Co; Honey Creek State Natural Area - males - April 2015


TEXAS: Terrell Co; Independence Creek Preserve - male - April 2014


TEXAS: Kinney Co; Las Moras Creek, Fort Clark Springs, "beaverponds area" - male - March 2013


TEXAS: Kinney Co; Las Moras Creek at Scales Road - male - March 2012



TEXAS: Jasper Co; Angelina National Forest, Boykin Springs Recreation Area - male - March 2011
(specimens examined in-hand by John Abbott were ID'd as petechialis)


TEXAS: Brewster Co; Fort Peņa Colorado ("Post") Park, 5 mi SW of Marathon - male - 8 July 2010 (unconfirmed late date for Texas)


TEXAS: Edwards Co; west bank of Nueces River near confluence with Old Faithful Creek - worn male - May 2010


TEXAS: Real Co; Camp Wood Hills Crossing of Nueces River - male - April 2010





TEXAS: Edwards Co; Camp Wood Hills - males - April 2010



TEXAS: Edwards Co; confluence of Miller Creek and Nueces River - males - 4 April 2010





TEXAS: Edwards Co; Camp Wood Hills - females - 31 March 2010




TEXAS: Edwards Co; Camp Wood Hills near Miller Creek - female - 21 February 2010
 (new early date for Texas)


TEXAS: Edwards Co; Little Hackberry Creek at TX 55 - male - April 2009


TEXAS: Real Co; Nueces River near Camp Wood - male - April 2009





TEXAS: Edwards Co; Camp Wood Hills - male - March 2009 (posed)