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spiny baskettail

spiny baskettail (Epitheca spinigera) [female] [male]
Photo © Mary Kay Rubey

Features and Behaviors

FEATURES
The spiny baskettail is about one and three-quarters inches long and has a dark brown body with small, rusty spots alongside the abdomen. Males have black eyes with red tint and an abdomen that tapers in the middle. Females are like males but are duller in color and the rusty spots on the abdomen are larger. 

BEHAVIORS
The spiny baskettail inhabits wooded ponds and lakes, especially beaver ponds. Northern Illinois is the very southern edge of its range, and it is only found along the Wisconsin and Minnesota borders. It should be noted that there are several records of this species in southern Illinois along the Ohio River. It can be seen flying from April to August. Males patrol for a mate in open areas near wooded edge of water. Mating not well observed. Females deposit eggs in short strings by taping the water while flying. Both sexes feed in open areas. 

Illinois Range

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Corduliidae

Illinois Status: common, native