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)