Common baskettail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Common baskettail |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Epitheca
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| Species: |
E. cynosura
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| Binomial name | |
| Epitheca cynosura (Say, 1839)
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| Range of E. cynosura | |
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Tetragoneuria cynosura |
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The common baskettail (Epitheca cynosura) is a type of dragonfly. It is part of the Corduliidae family. This dragonfly has a brown and hairy body. Some common baskettails have a small, triangle-shaped spot. This spot is found at the base of their back wings.
It can be tricky to tell common baskettails apart. They look very similar to other dragonflies in their group. To identify them, you need to look closely at their tails. The small parts at the end of their abdomen are called caudal appendages. These parts are different for each species. You can compare them with drawings or close-up photos.
Common baskettails fly for many months. Their flight season can start as early as January. It usually lasts until August. In northern Florida, you might even see them later. They can be seen there from October to December.
What Does Its Name Mean?
This dragonfly is called the common baskettail because it is the most common one. It is found in many places across its range.
Its scientific name is cynosura. This word means "dog tail." It might refer to how the parts at the end of its abdomen curve outward. This movement could look like a dog wagging its tail.
