NC Odonate Website

Related Species in CORDULIIDAE:

Number of records added in 2021 = 20

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Mantled Baskettail (Epitheca semiaquea) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Slender Baskettail Common Baskettail Robust Baskettail
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.

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map

Click on county for list of all its records for Mantled Baskettail

flight charts

distribution

Essentially only the Coastal Plain in NC, though it barely extends above the Fall Line from Wake and Chatham counties southward. Ranges inland only to Wake, Chatham, Moore, and Richmond counties.

abundance

Fairly common to locally common in the Sandhills and the adjacent southern Coastal Plain; less common farther eastward and northeastward (e.g., no record yet for Brunswick County), but still at least fairly common locally, though probably rare in the extreme northeastern Coastal Plain. Rare in the narrow Piedmont part of the range. Can occur in swarms, with over 20 individuals seen in a day in some sites; a remarkable estimate of 200 individuals was made on the mainland portion of Dare County in 2018.

flight

Spring season only; late March to mid-May, rarely to early June. The few Piedmont records end in mid-April, though it certainly flies there for a few more weeks. By far most numerous in April than at other times.

habitat

Lakes, ponds, and pools. Seems to be more numerous where these waters are acidic, such as in pocosin habitats to include Carolina bay lakes and ponds.

behavior

Males are less often seen in patrols over water than are Common Baskettails. Adults are typically seen, along with many Common Baskettails, flying along dirt roads and other clearings, frequently stopping to perch obliquely on twigs and other vegetation close to the ground.

comments

The amount of dark brown or black on the hindwings is somewhat variable, and many Common Baskettails also show some dark pigment on the hindwings. However, Mantleds are the smallest baskettails and can often be identified by their small size while seen on the wing.

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Species account update: LeGrand on 2021-02-07 10:27:40

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Mantled Baskettail 17 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Richmond; C, 2021-04-12, Sandhills GL Block A (Lake Bagget and nearby ponds and roads)		Photo 2 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2021-03-28, my property, Holly Ridge
	Photo 3 by: Jan Hansen Comment: Moore; C, 2021-03-22, Sandhills CC		Photo 4 by: Joshua Liverman Comment: Currituck, 2020-03-29, Pine Island near the Audubon Trail. iNaturalist Record # 41044912 - Male
	Photo 5 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Cumberland, 2020-03-19, Carvers Creek State Park (CACR) - Sandhills Access		Photo 6 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2019-04-16, Marshbanks Property -Campbell University
	Photo 7 by: Mark Shields Comment: Dare; Mainland, 2018-04-28, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge - common over roads and canals throughout refuge		Photo 8 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2018-04-13, Stones Creek Game Land
	Photo 9 by: Mark Shields and Hunter Phillips Comment: Hoke, 2018-04-05, Wagram Boating Access Area, Lumber River		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields and Hunter Phillips Comment: Moore; C, 2018-04-05, Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve (WEWO)
	Photo 11 by: John Petranka Comment: Richmond; C, 2018-04-04, McKinney Lake Fish Hatchery around the dam. - Both sexes. Male netted, photographed and released.		Photo 12 by: Roger Shaw Comment: Richmond; C, 2017-04-15, McKinney Fish Hatchery
	Photo 13 by: Curtis Smalling Comment: Robeson, 2017-04-12, at WRC put-in on river; 34.591680, -78.983892 - very quick flyer and small		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2017-04-02, Holly Shelter Game Land; photo of female
	Photo 15 by: John Petranka Comment: Bladen, 2016-04-26, Jones Lake State Park; Jones Lake shoreline around the swimming area. Males.		Photo 16 by: Conrad Wernett, Alyssa Wernett, Matt Anderson Comment: Scotland, 2015-05-03, - Many seen flying in open grasslands and around water
	Photo 17 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Scotland, 2014-04-26, - Located at every stop