Prince Baskettail
Epitheca princeps
This record describes Epitheca princeps (species). Recorded family: Corduliidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Flies constantly. Wing pattern resembles that of some skimmer, but narrow body shape is distinctive. Wings held in a slight dihedral (V) while flying. Larger in south, up to 8 cm, as large as a Darner. Typically seen as a male patrolling over a pond. Perches (in evening?) by hanging under twigs. The southeastern form, regina, is usually larger, more heavily marked, and has a slightly different spot pattern:
Wikipedia reference for Epitheca princeps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epitheca_princeps.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
- Suborder
- Anisoptera
- Family
- Corduliidae (Emeralds)
- Genus
- Epitheca (Baskettails)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Permanent bodies of water: ponds, lakes, slow streams. Somewhat tolerant of muddy water.
Geographic Range
Eastern North America
Seasonal Activity
March-December in Florida, June to August in northernmost part of range.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Predatory on flying insects. Often feeds high over trees, may form swarms in evening.
Life History
Females oviposit in evening. A rope of eggs (up to 50 cm long!) is draped over a stem of emergent vegetation. Males patrol low (or up to 2 m high) over water for hours (or all day) gliding, then flitting wings.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Epitheca princeps. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Odonata includes ~6,000 described species of dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects, reaching 36 mph (58 km/h). They can fly in any direction including backward, and hover in place - each wing operates independently.
Ecological role of the group
Dragonflies predate dinosaurs by nearly 100 million years - fossils date to 325 million years ago. The largest dragonfly ancestor, Meganeuropsis permiana (285 mya), had a 75cm wingspan, enabled by atmospheric oxygen levels of 31-35% compared to today's 21%. Dragonflies have a 95% hunting success rate - the highest of any predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Dragonflies are voracious predators that consume hundreds of mosquitoes daily, providing natural pest control worth millions in reduced mosquito-borne disease risk. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Recorded sources for this group: Natural History Museum London, Britannica, fossil record research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Prince Baskettail (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban
Frequently Asked Questions About Prince Baskettail
What is Prince Baskettail?
Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps) is a species in the family Corduliidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Prince Baskettail?
Length 5-8 cm
How do you identify Prince Baskettail?
Flies constantly. Wing pattern resembles that of some skimmer, but narrow body shape is distinctive. Wings held in a slight dihedral (V) while flying.
Where is Prince Baskettail found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Permanent bodies of water: ponds, lakes, slow streams. Somewhat tolerant of muddy water. |
| Range | Eastern North America |
What does Prince Baskettail eat?
The diet of the Prince Baskettail includes Predatory on flying insects. Often feeds high over trees, may form swarms in evening..
When is Prince Baskettail active?
Prince Baskettail: seasonal activity - March-December in Florida, June to August in northernmost part of range..
What is the life cycle of a Prince Baskettail?
Females oviposit in evening. A rope of eggs (up to 50 cm long!) is draped over a stem of emergent vegetation. Males patrol low (or up to 2 m high) over water for hours (or all day) gliding, then flitting wings.