Slender Baskettail (Epitheca
costalis)
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 or by geography 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.
These specimens are all from Florida, and with their slender abdomens, I'm
reasonably confident of the identifications of the males, and nearly certain of
the identification of the female with her long terminal appendages.
FLORIDA: Liberty Co; Apalachicola National Forest, Camel Lake - female - March
2012
FLORIDA: Santa Rosa Co; Blackwater State Forest, Coldwater Horse Trail - male -
March 2010
FLORIDA: Santa Rosa Co; Blackwater State Forest, Coldwater Horse Trail - teneral
female - March 2010
FLORIDA: Santa Rosa Co; Blackwater State Forest, Ates Creek - male - March 2010