The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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North Carolina's 189 Odonate species
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Related Species in LIBELLULIDAE: Number of records for 2024 = 0
Added in 2024 from a previous years = 4

PDF has more details,
e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
[View PDF]		Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina) by Mark Shields
Compare with: Painted Skimmer   Banded Pennant  
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.

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Click on county for list of all its records for Halloween Pennant
Flight Charts
Distribution Statewide. This is one of the very few species with records for all 100 counties.
Abundance Common over the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, but only uncommon to fairly common in the mountains. Though it is not normally seen in swarms, we have several one-day counts of 50 or more individuals. The abundance across the state is relatively low until July or August, and it is often missed on late spring and early summer field trips.
Flight An extended flight season, covering most of the warmer months -- very late April or early May to mid-October downstate, and from mid-June (if not earlier) to late September in the mountains.
Habitat Breeds at ponds and lakes, and sometimes at marshes.
Behavior This Celithemis pennant forages farther away from water than all others, and is actually not often seen at breeding waters. They are characteristically seen perching on the tips of blades of grasses or tall herbs in a field or powerline clearing, usually well removed from forested areas.
Comments In many respects, this is the most atypical of the Celithemis pennants. It often resembles a butterfly or moth in flight because the wings are heavily suffused with amber or ochre coloration so as to appear almost opaque. The many dark bands on the wings also might fool an observer into thinking the odonate is a butterfly or moth. It seems to "enjoy" flying in windy weather, with choppy wing beats. As with the Calico Pennant, this species should be easily seen and learned by beginners.
State Rank S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-16 14:10:52
Photo Gallery for Halloween Pennant   39 photos are available.
Only the most recent 30 are shown.
Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Craven, 2023-09-15, Martin Marietta Park, New Bern		Photo 2 by: P Dixon

Comment: Madison, 2019-11-01
Photo 3 by: Alicia Jackson

Comment: Moore; C, 2019-08-02, Adjacent to Ray's Mill Pond/Powell's Pond - Adult		Photo 4 by: Alicia Jackson

Comment: Moore; C, 2019-08-02, Adjacent to Ray's Mill Pond/Powell's Pond - Adult
Photo 5 by: Aaron Edmonds

Comment: Harnett; C, 2018-08-24, Flat Branch		Photo 6 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Wilkes; P, 2018-07-21, W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir; from dam to ~1000' downstream
Photo 7 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Forsyth, 2018-07-08, Winston Lake		Photo 8 by: Chuck Smith

Comment: Davidson, 2018-07-02, Lexington. Pond at Finch Park.
Photo 9 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Currituck, 2018-06-09, pond at Currituck Community Park near Maple		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Lenoir, 2017-08-01, Neuseway Nature Park, Kinston
Photo 11 by: Owen McConnell

Comment: Granville, 2017-07-06, Holt Lake - in wheel		Photo 12 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Washington, 2017-06-16, Conaby Creek, from boating access area to 2.25 km upstream by kayak
Photo 13 by: Owen McConnell

Comment: Orange, 2017-06-14, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, upper pond - males		Photo 14 by: Conrad Wernett

Comment: Carteret, 2017-05-21, - Patsy and Lily Ponds.
Photo 15 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Duplin, 2015-08-15, Northeast Cape Fear River by kayak, between Wayne		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields

Comment: New Hanover, 2015-08-06, Carolina Beach State Park - 2 at Grass Pond, 1 along Cape Fear River near marina
Photo 17 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Columbus, 2015-08-01, Lake Waccamaw State Park		Photo 18 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Brunswick, 2015-08-01, Boiling Spring Lakes - at Spring Lake Park
Photo 19 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Bladen, 2015-07-18, Suggs Millpond (aka Horseshoe Lake) - many pairs flying in tandem; females ovipositing		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Hyde, 2015-07-08, Mattamuskeet NWR
Photo 21 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Carteret, 2015-07-01, Patsy Pond Nature Trail, Croatan National Forest		Photo 22 by: Kristy Baker

Comment: Dare; OBL, 2015-06-10, Cape Point Campground - Multiple individuals seen but not counted.
Photo 23 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston

Comment: Yancey, 2014-08-26, Mount Mitchell State Park, Commissary Trail		Photo 24 by: Conrad Wernett

Comment: Onslow, 2014-06-29, - Retention pond
Photo 25 by: Owen McConnell

Comment: Graham, 2014-06-19, Grass bald on Oak Knob - male		Photo 26 by: Jon Boerger

Comment: Buncombe, 2013-07-29
Photo 27 by: George Andrews

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2013-07-08, Beatty Park from 05:30 - 07:30 PM. Skies 60/40 clear/cloud, temp. 85.		Photo 28 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Onslow, 2013-07-03, along retention pond at Coastal Carolina Community College
Photo 29 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Simon Thompson

Comment: Polk; P, 2012-08-04, Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) - Male & Female		Photo 30 by: Bob Oberfelder

Comment: Wake, 2011-07-11, Observed in Cary at Lochmere Golf course, female