''Epitheca'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

dragonflies A dragonfly is a flying insect belonging to the infraorder Anisoptera below the order Odonata. About 3,000 extant species of true dragonfly are known. Most are tropical, with fewer species in temperate regions. Loss of wetland habitat threa ...

in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Corduliidae The Corduliidae, also knowns as the emeralds, emerald dragonflies or green-eyed skimmers, is a family of dragonflies. These dragonflies are usually black or dark brown with areas of metallic green or yellow, and most of them have large, emerald-gr ...

. They are commonly known as baskettails. Baskettails' distinction is the specially adapted, upturned abdomen tip of the females which allows them to carry their egg masses in a small, orange-tinted globule. Some authorities spin off the North American baskettails into two new genera, ''Epicordulia'' and ''Tetragoneuria'', but this has not gained widespread acceptance and most references place them under this genus.

Species

The genus contains the following species: *'' Epitheca bimaculata'' – Eurasian baskettail *''

Epitheca canis ''Epitheca canis'', the beaverpond baskettail, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America. The IUCN conservation status The conservation status of a group of organisms (for instance, a species) ...

'' – beaverpond baskettail *'' Epitheca costalis'' – slender baskettail or stripe-winged baskettail *''

Epitheca cynosura The common baskettail (''Epitheca cynosura'') is a dragonfly of the Corduliidae family. The thorax is brown and hairy. Some specimens have a triangular spot at the base of the hindwing. Individuals are difficult to distinguish from the other sp ...

'' – common baskettail *''

Epitheca marginata ''Epitheca'' is a genus of dragonflies in the family Corduliidae. They are commonly known as baskettails. Baskettails' distinction is the specially adapted, upturned abdomen tip of the females which allows them to carry their egg masses in a sm ...

'' *'' Epitheca petechialis'' – dot-winged baskettail *''

Epitheca princeps ''Epitheca princeps'', the prince baskettail, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae The Corduliidae, also knowns as the emeralds, emerald dragonflies or green-eyed skimmers, is a family of dragonflies. These dragonflies ar ...

'' – prince baskettail *''

Epitheca semiaquea ''Epitheca semiaquea'', the mantled baskettail, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America. The IUCN conservation status of ''Epitheca semiaquea'' is "LC", least concern, with no immediate threat ...

'' – mantled baskettail *''

Epitheca sepia ''Epitheca sepia'', the sepia baskettail, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America. The IUCN conservation status The conservation status of a group of organisms (for instance, a species) indic ...

'' – sepia baskettail *''

Epitheca spinigera The spiny baskettail (''Epitheca spinigera'') is a dragonfly of the Corduliidae The Corduliidae, also knowns as the emeralds, emerald dragonflies or green-eyed skimmers, is a family of dragonflies. These dragonflies are usually black or dark bro ...

'' – spiny baskettail *'' Epitheca spinosa'' – robust baskettail *''

Epitheca stella ''Epitheca stella'', the Florida baskettail, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western He ...

'' – Florida baskettail

Notes

References

*
Genus ''Epitheca'' - Baskettails
BugGuide
Image of female baskettail sp. with egg mass on tip of tail
Corduliidae Anisoptera genera Taxa named by Hermann Burmeister {{Corduliidae-stub