Insect · GBIF taxon 4302543
Prince Baskettail
Epitheca princepsPrince baskettails are unusually large emerald dragonflies recognizable by three prominent dark patches along each of their four clear wings. Adults spend long afternoons patrolling high above lakes, rivers, and sunny forest glades, rarely perching for more than a few moments at a time. Females deposit large masses of eggs directly into open water by dipping their abdomens while hovering at high speeds.
DragonflyAerial HunterWing Patches
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Mosquitoes
- Midges
- Small flies
Predators
- Birds
- Frogs
- Larger dragonflies
ThreatsWater pollution, wetland loss, and agricultural pesticide runoff
HabitatsLakes, slow rivers, ponds, and forest openings
Life span1–3 years (majority spent as aquatic nymph; adults live 1–2 months)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderOdonata
- FamilyCorduliidae
- GenusEpitheca
- SpeciesEpitheca princeps
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Scan treetops and open water on warm afternoons where adults fly endlessly.
- Photography: Set a high shutter speed to capture them in flight since they rarely perch.
- Larval Searching: Look for spiny aquatic nymphs along vegetated pond edges.
Competitor (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Cole Shoemaker, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Jimmy Dee, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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Found in Collections
Ecosystem chain
Wetland Territory
Prince Baskettail is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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