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Epitheca canis (Beaverpond Baskettail)BC conservation rank: S3. Blue List. Down-listed slightly in 2004 from S2S3 after northern surveys recorded the species at several localities in central BC.Description: The face is orange-yellow with no T-spot. Male's appendages, fig. 12. Female's appendages are 2 mm long; vulvar lamina, fig 12d. Mature females have an extensive brown wash to their wings. Length: male female 45 mm. Global Range: British Columbia to Nova Scotia, south to Virginia, Ohio, and California Needham et al. 2000). Faunal element: Transition (see Appendix 2). BC Distribution: Scattered records from the extreme south coast to the Peace River drainage; no records from the dry southern valleys of the interior. Biology: Rare inhabitant of marshy lakeshores, ponds (Wm01-02, Wm05-06; Wf01) and backwaters of slowly flowing streams (e.g. Wm01, Wf01). A spring and early summer species. BC flight period: early May to mid August; most records are from June and early July. Management and protection considerations: E. canis is still a rather enigmatic dragonfly in BC. Although at first glance, its preferred habitat is common and records are scattered over much of the province, the species is hard to find. This is largely because we know little about its biology and because it probably is truly scarce in most places. In northern BC, E. canis lives mainly in lakes used by fishermen and other recreational users. Disturbance by low-level recreation use is probably minimal in most areas studied, at least in the more remote lakes, although shoreline erosion from motorized craft may disturb breeding sites. Further inventory will document more localities close to more intense human activity. More precise knowledge of larval distribution along the shorelines of specific lakes in more-travelled areas would help decision-making regarding the health of this dragonfly's populations. Marina developments and pollution from powerboats have potential impact on larval survival in these areas. On the positive side, most populations likely are not threatened -- most lakes are remote and used little, if at all, for intensive recreation. Ponds are also used as breeding habitat. Road development poses risks for particular sites, especially with regard to marsh filling and changes in drainage patterns. Development that may affect the hydrology of a catchment area should be managed to minimize impacts. Riparian forest damage by logging is also a potential disturbance. Samways and Steytler (1996) provide recommendations for the width of riparian buffers and vegetation heterogeneity for species assemblages. Although these recommendations treat different odonate assemblages than the ones described here, the life requirements of the dragonfly species are similar. Management practices that ensure the continued viability of wetlands should be followed.
Epitheca canis Map 3. Frequency of records in British Columbia by NTS 1/50,000 mapsheet. |
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