HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp

Clickable Guide

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Registration is open for the 2024 BugGuide gathering in Idaho July 24-27

Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2023

Photos of insects and people from the 2022 BugGuide gathering in New Mexico, July 20-24

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Photos of insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29

Previous events

TaxonomyBrowse

Info

ImagesLinksBooksData

Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) » Dragonflies (Anisoptera) » Skimmers (Libellulidae) » Pennants (Celithemis) » Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina)

Species Celithemis eponina - Halloween Pennant

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Life Cycle · Remarks · See Also · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

HalloweenPennantsCopulating - Celithemis eponina - male - female

Hallowen Pennant? - Celithemis eponina - male

Halloween Pennant mating pair - Celithemis eponina - male - female

Halloween Pennant - Celithemis eponina - male

orange dragonfly - Celithemis eponina - male

Dragonfly Marquette 1 - Celithemis eponina - male

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)

Suborder Anisoptera (Dragonflies)

Family Libellulidae (Skimmers)

Genus Celithemis (Pennants)

Species eponina (Halloween Pennant)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Celithemis eponina (Drury, 1773)

Size

Length 3.8 cm

Identification

Distinctive wing pattern; dark subterminal wing marking extends across wing from leading edge to trailing edge.

Range

e NA to CO (BG data)

Habitat

Ponds, marshes (breeding), old fields (foraging)

Season

mostly: Jun-Aug, yr-round in FL (BG data)

Life Cycle

Males are not territorial, perch near edge of ponds, waiting for incoming females. Mating typically takes place in the morning. Oviposition is in tandem. Frequently seen perched on weeds in fields as it forages, pivoting with the wind.

Remarks

Usually the most common of the Celithemis pennants.

See Also

Calico Pennant subterminal wing marking restricted to leading edge of wing (in Halloween Pennant, subterminal wing marking extends across wing from leading edge to trailing edge)

Print References

Dunkle, p. 233, plate 44 (1)

Internet References

Featured Creatures - University of Florida

Animal Diversity Web

iNaturalist

Maryland Biodiversity Project

Works Cited

1.	Dragonflies Through Binoculars: A Field Guide to Dragonflies of North America Sidney W. Dunkle. 2000. Oxford Press.

Contributed by Cotinis on 8 March, 2004 - 7:26pm
Additional contributions by Robin McLeod, Mike Quinn, marcie oconnor
Last updated 1 April, 2024 - 5:22pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version