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

Species Celithemis eponina - Halloween Pennant

Halloween Pennant - Celithemis eponina - male

Halloween Pennant with mites - Celithemis eponina

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)

Suborder Anisoptera (Dragonflies)

Family Libellulidae (Skimmers)

Genus Celithemis (Pennants)

Species eponina (Halloween Pennant)

Size

Length 3.8 cm

Identification

Distinctive wing pattern.

Range

Eastern North America

Habitat

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

Season

Year-round in Florida, summer in northern part of range

Food

Predatory on other insects

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.

Print References

Dunkle, p. 233, plate 44 (1)

Internet References

Dragonflies of the United States

NJ Odes

Odonata Central--Texas

Works Cited

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

Contributed by Cotinis on 8 March, 2004 - 7:26pm
Last updated 7 August, 2004 - 8:19am

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