This medium-sized dragonfly is approximately 1 1/2 inches or 37 mm in length. The thorax is brown with light-colored fuzz. The abdomen is dark brown with yellow lateral stripes. The wings are clear except that they often have a brown spot and occasionally, a larger brown triangle at the base of the hindwing. The Baskettails in the northern part of the range (Nebraska) may have minimal to no brown marks in the hindwings. The eyes are usually brown. The legs are black. The individual shown here had recently emerged from the larval stage and did not have the full coloration on the wings or body.
Fairly common in May and June in the Great Marsh in Fontenelle Forest. It can be seen flying along the edge of the marsh near the blind.
Males continuously patrol along the shoreline and rarely perch. Females are not often seen. The peak activity is in late afternoon.
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