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 this page for unidentified Baskettails.
TEXAS: Liberty Co; Knobby Knees Trail, Trinity River NWR - female - March 2025
Dot-winged, Slender, or Common
TEXAS: Harris Co; Bud Hatfield Park on Cypress Creek at Telge Road - male - March 2013
either a Slender or Dot-winged
LOUISIANA: Natchitoches Parish; Kisatchie National Forest, Kisatchie Bayou Campground - male - April 2011
TEXAS: Jasper Co; Angelina National Forest, Boykin Springs Recreation Area - female - March 2011
(probably E. petechialis, as males examined in hand by Dr. John Abbott this day were that species)
LOUSIANA: Vernon Parish; Kisatchie National Forest, Fullerton Lake - male - March 2011
my guess, given the proportions and appendages is that this is probably Common (E. cynosura) but Slender (E. costalis) and Dot-winged (E. petechialis) cannot be ruled out from these photos
TEXAS: Jasper Co; Beaver Ponds near Sam Rayburn Dam - male - April 2010
probably either Dot-winged (lacking spots) or Slender
TEXAS: Jasper Co; Angelina National Forest, ca 0.5 mi N of Boykin Springs Lake - male - April 2010
either an "un-dotted" Dot-winged Baskettail (E. petechialis) or a Slender Baskettail (E. costalis)
TEXAS: Jasper Co; Bar-winged Skimmer Pond near Sam Rayburn Dam - male - April 2010
probably either Slender (E. costalis) or un-dotted Dot-winged (E. petechialis)
TEXAS: Jasper Co; Beaver Ponds near Sam Rayburn Dam - male - April 2010
probably either Slender (E. costalis) or un-dotted Dot-winged (E. petechialis)
TEXAS: Jasper Co; Boykin Springs Lake - newly emerged teneral male - April 2010